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5 "IA Friendly Cue
p which, we maintain with our
W Brethren of New- Nugland, gives
IE 8 us now and then the pleaſure
© of hearmg ſome remarkable Inſtances ' of
divine Grace in the Converſion of Sin-
ners, and ſome eminent Examples of
Piety in that American Part of the World.
But never did we hear or read, ſince the
' firſt: Ages of Chriſtianity, any Event of
this kind ſo ſurprizing as the preſent Nar-
rative | hath 125 — us. The Rev“.
and Worthy Dr. Colman of Boſton had given
us ſome flat Intimations of it in his Let-
ters; and upon our Requeſt of a more
large and particular Account, Mr, Ed.
. evards, the 2. and ſucceſsful Miniſter of
Nee, Which was one of the chief
Scenes of theſe Wonders, drew up this
Hiſtory i in an Epiſtle to Dr. Colman,
There were ſome uſeful Sermons of
_the Venerable and Aged Mr. William
A 1 1 iam
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„ The PREFACE... -
Williams publiſt'd lately in New-Eng- i
land, which were preached in that part of
the Country during. this Seaſon of the
glorious Work of God in the Converſion
of Men ; to which ,Dr. Colman ſubjoin'd
a moſt judicious and accurate Abridge-
ment of this Epiſtle : And a little after
E;
, 2 | . 2
m London. /
- by Mr. Edwards's Requeſt, he ſent the
Original to our Hands, to be communi-
cated to the World under our Care here
*
We are abundantly fatisfy'd of the
Truth of this Narrative, not only from
from the concurrent Teſtimony of many
the pious Character of the Writer, but
other Perſons. in Net- England; for this
Ding was not done in a Corner. There is
a a ſpot of Ground, as we are here inform'd,
wherein there are twelve or fourteen
Towns and Villages, chiefly ſituate in
. New-Hampſvire near the Banks of the River
of Connecticut, within the compaſs of thir-
ty Miles, wherein it pleaſed God two
; er ago to diſplay his free and ſovereign
ercy
in the Converſion of a great mul-
_ titude of Souls in a ſhort ſpace of Time,
turning them from a formal, cold and
© Careleſs Profeſſion of Chriſtianity to the
*
* *
4
lively Exerciſe of every Chriſtian Grace,
and the powerful Practice of our holy Re-
*
—
ligion. The great God has ſeem'd to act
over again the Miracle of Gedeon's Fleece,
"F
which
Ife PREFACE. ov
which was plentifully water'd with the Dew-
of Heaven, while the reſt of the Earth
round about it was dry, and had no ſuch
remarkable Bleſſing, . gy
There has been a great and juſt Com-
plaint for many Years among the Mini-
ſters and Churches in Old-England, and in
New, (except about the time of the late
= Earthquake there) that the Work of Con-
verſion goes on very ſlowly, that the Spi-
OOO. ER bebe Ho ef ²⁵Ü—ò—öiñsU ð ̃ ͥͤů DET nw, Bl E hg
a uw
— Ow
ow
rit of God in his ſaving Influences is much
withdrawn from the Miniſtrations of his
Word, and there are few that receive the
Report of the Goſpel, with any eminent
Succeſs upon their Hearts. But as the
Goſpel is the ſame divine Inſtrument of
Grace ſtill, as ever it was in the Days of
the Apoſtles, ſo our aſcended Saviour now
and then takes a ſpecial Occaſion to mani-
feſt the Divinity of this Goſpel by a plen-
tiful Effuſion of hisSpirit-where it is preach-
ed: then Sinners are turned into Saints
in numbers, and there is a new face of
Things ſpread over a Town or a Coun-
try: The 2 and the. ſolitary Places
are glad, the Deſert rejoices and bloſſoms as
the Roſe 3. and ſurely. concerning this In-
| ſtance we may add, that hey have ſeen the
Glory of the Lord there, and the Excellen-
Cy of our God; they have ſeen the Out-goings
of God our King in bis Sanfluary, _.;
+ 030725751 < 803-11 i: Sodlndy
a . + 3 0
-
* The PREFACE:
„like diſp
ö Certainly i it becomes us, who profeſs the
Religion of Criſt, to take notice of ſuch
- aſtoniſhing Exerciſes of his Power and
Mercy, and give him the Glory which
-is due, when he begins to accompliſh any
of his Promiſes concerning the latter
Days: and it gives us further Encourage-
ment to pos and wait, and for the
of his Power in the midſt of
us. The hind of God is not fhorten'd that
it cannot fave, but we have reaſon to fear
that our Iniguities, our Coldneſs in Religion,
and the general Carnality of our Spirits, have
raiſed a Wall of Separation between Gd
and us: And we may add, the Pride and
rſe Humour of Infidelity y, Degeneracy 3B
perve
and A poſtacy from the Chriſtian Faith,
Which have of late Years broken out a-
mongſt us, ſeem to have provoked the
Spirit of Chriſt to abſent himſelf much from
our Nation. Return, O Lord, and
viſit thy Churches, and revive thine own
„ Work in the midſt of us“
From ſuch bleſſed Inſtances of che Sib
ceſs of the Goſpel, as appear in this Nar-
rative, we may learn much of the way of
the Spirit of God in his dealing with the
Souls of Men, in order to convince Sin-
ners, and reſtore them to his Favour _
dis Inge by Jour Chriſt, his Son.
acknowledge that ſome E ome =
8 in the Work of Converſion a-
mon
W W GD Gen.» my
4
if
Hh
1
8
TT
fe
wm
A1
h:
'
—
—
V ⁰ Q ͤᷣ !! ñ ho eo erent
The PREFACE. vii
mor g Men may be oceaſionꝰd by the Mini-
ſtry which they fit under, whether it be of
a more or leſs evangelical Strain, whether
it be more ſevere and affrighting, or more
gentle and perſuaſive. But whereſoever
God works with Power for Salvation upon
the Minds of Men, there will be ſome
diſcoveries of a Senſe of Sin, of the dan-
ger of the Wrath of God, of the All- uff.
.
ciency of his Son Jeſus, to relieve us under
all our ſpiritual Wants and Piſtreſſes, and
a hearty Conſent of Soul to receive him
in the various Offices of Grace, wherein
dle is ſet forth in the holy Seriptures. And
if our Readers had opportunity (as we
| have had) to peruſe ſeveral of the Sermons
which were preached during this glotions -
Seafon, we ſhould find that it is the com-
mon plain Proteſtant Doctrine of the Re-
formation, without ſtretching towards the
Antinomians on the one ſide, or the Armi-
niaus on the other, that the Spirit of God
has been pleaſed to honour with ſuch il-
quſtrieus Success. 282.,
We are taught alſo by this happy Evest
how eafy it wi be for our bleſſed Lord
to make a full accompliſhment of all his
Predictions concerning his Kingdom, and
„ +
to ſpread his Dominion from Sta to Sea,
thro' all the Nations of the Earth. We
ſee how eaſy it is for him with one Turn of
his Hand, with one Word of his Mouth,
_—_ vi A 3 5 to
1 2
viii The PREFACE.
to awaken whole Countries of ſtupid and
ſleeping Sinners, and kindle divine Life in
their Souls, The heavenly Influence ſhall
run from door to door, filling the Hearts
and Lips of every Inhabitant with importu-
nate Inquiries, What ſhall we do to be ſaved ?
And how ſhall we eſcape the Wrath to come?
And the Name of. Chriſt the Saviour ſhall
diffuſe it ſelf like a rich and vital Perfume
to multitudes that were ready to fink and
. periſh under the painful Senſe of their own
Guilt and Danger.. Salvation ſhall ſpread
thro” all the Tribes and Ranks of Man-
kind, as. the Lightning from Heaven in
a few Moments would communicate a
living Flame thro? ten. thouſand Lamps
or Torches placed in a proper Situation and
5 Neighbourhood 8
_ born in a Day when our Redeemer pleaſe,
and his faithful and obedient Subjects ſhall
become as numerous as the Spires af
_ . Graſs in a Meadow newly mown,, and re-
ftreſn'd with the Shawers of Heaven. But
the Pleaſure of this agreeable Hint bears
. the Mind away. from 'our Theme.
Let us. return to the
Thus 2. Nation ſhall be
Tis worthy. of our Obſervation, that this
great and ſurprizing Work does not ſeem
to have taken its Riſe from any ſudden
and diſtreſſing Calamity or publick Ter-
ſent Narrative.
rour that might univerſally impreſs the
Minds of a People: Here was no Storm,
9 7 | 7 : ; | Rs n
it is a bleſſed Confirmation of the Truth
The PREFACE i
no Earthquake, no Inundation of Water,
no Deſolation by Fire, no Peſtilence or
any other ſweeping Diſtemper, nor any
$ cruel Invaſion by their Indian Neighbours,
chat might force the Inhabitants into a ſe-
rious Thoughtfulneſs, and a religious
Temper by the Fears of eee,
Death and Judgment. Such Scenes as theſe
have ſometimes been made happily effectual
to awaken Sinners in Zion, and the for-
mal Profeſſor and the Hypocrite have
been terrify'd with the Thoughts of di-
vine Wrath breaking in upon them, Vo
ſhall dwell with everlaſting Burnings ? But
in the preſent Caſe the immediate hand
of God in the Work of his Spirit appears.
much more evident, becauſe there is no
ſuch awful and threat'ning Providence at-
tcendiagar.” 0D For 199 F
It is worthy alſo of our further Notice,
that when many prophane Sinners, and for-
mal Profeffors of Religion have been af-
frighted out of their preſeut Careleſſneſs
and Stupidity by ſome aſtoniſhingTerrours
approaching them, thoſe religious Appear-
ances have not been ſo durable, nor the
real Change of Heart ſo thoroughly ef-
fected : Many of theſe ſort of ſudden Con-
verts have dropt their religious Concerns +
in a great meaſure when their Fears of tile
threat'ning Calamity are vaniſh'd. But
of
EY
*
. hs notice, that a
threat'ning
Mah ng the Var
WW diſcovered
Goodneſs of God
Place where fuch a-mutcirude of his-young |
þ bony were aſſembled: Nor can we
give a better Account of it than in the
The PREFACE:
.
X
gf this preſent Work of Grace, that᷑ the
Perſons who were divinely wrought upon
in this Seaſon continue ſtill to profeſs: ſe--
rious Religion, and to practiſe it with-
bout returning to their former Follies.
It may not be amits in this place to %
expreſs'd towards a
nguage of this very Gentleman, the
Revs Mr. Edwards, Miniſter of that
Town, who wrote the following Letter,
IN was publiſt'd 1 in New-Exgeand: -
| Northampton, March rgth, 1737.
| 'E in this Town, were the laf Lord's
. Day the Spectators, and many of us
the Wide, of ane of the moſt amazing In-
Janes
very ſurprizing and |
e e has this laſt Lear
attended the People of Northampton, a-
mong whom this Work of divine Grace
was fo remarkable: which Providence |
at firſt:might have been conſtrued by the
unthinking World to be a. ſignal” |
of God's Diſpleaſure againſt that Town,
lor a Judgment from Heaven upon the
Peay * but ſoon afterwards, like Paulis
r of from his Hand,
aſtoniſhing Care and
Token
Tube PREFACE A
Bans f divine Preſervation, that perhaps.
was ever known in the Land: Our ' Mect-,
ing- Houſe is old and decay d, ſo that we
-bave been fer ſome lime building a new one,
W wwbich is yet unſi niſb' d: It bas been obſerved.
/ late, that the Houſe that we have bitberto
net in bas gradually ſpread at bottom, the
Cells and Walls giving way, eſpecially. in the,
PForeſide, by reaſon of the Weight of. Timber
© at ſop, preſſing on the Braces that are in-
erted into the Poſts and Beams of tbe Hauſe.
l has ſo done more than ordinarily this
Fering which ſeems to have. been occaſion'd;
by the heaving of the Ground by the extream
*roſts of th? Winter paſt, and its . now ſet-
tling again ont hat ſide which is next ibe Sun,
by the Thaws of the Spring: By this means.
the under -pinning has been conſiderably diſ-
order d, -which Peazle were not ſenſible of,
till the ends of the Joyſts which bore up the.
rout Gallery, by the Walls giving way,
were drawn off from the Girls on-which they
reſted-, ſo that in the midſt of the publick Ex-
erciſe in the Forenoon, ſoon after the begin-
ning f Sermon, the whole Gallery full of.
People, with all the Seats and Timber, ſud-
denly and without any Warning ſunk, and
fell down, with moſt amazing noiſe, upon the
WR #cads of thoſe that ſat under, to the aftonifh- .
eds ent of the Congregation, the Houſe being
of us fil d with dolorous Shrieking and Crying , 4
„ The PREFACE.
and nothing elſe was expected than to "find
many People dead, and daſhed to pieces.
be Gallery in falling ſeem'd to break and
nk firſt in the middle; fo that thoſe who
were upon it were thrown together in heaps
| before the front Door: But the whole was fo
. ſudden, that many of them that fell knew no-
thing in the time of it what it was that had
befallen them; and others in the Congregation
knew not what it was that had happen'd with
fo great a Noiſe; many thought it had been
- an amazing Clap of Thunder : The falling i
Gallery ſeem'd to be broken all to pieces before
il got down; ſo that ſome that fell with it,
as well as thoſe that were under, were
buried in the Ruins, and were found fred
under heavy Loads of Timber, and could do
_ nothing to help themſelves ©
But fo myſteriouſly and wonderfully did
it come to paſs, that every Life was 7re-
| ferved; and the” many were greatly bruiſed,
and their Fleſh torn, yet there is not, as T
can underſtand, one Bone broke, or ſo much
as put out of Joint among them all: Some
that were thought to be almoſt dead at
firſt, are greatly recover d; and but one young
Nyman ſeems yet to remain in dangerous Cir-
cumſtances, by an inward Hurt in her Breaſt - but
ef late there appears more Hope of ber Recovery.
There is none can give any Account, or
' conceive by what Means it ſhould come 10
paſs, that Peoples Lives and Limbs muy
Wb N 2 .
=
*
ww
2 SY NT * ny % — MS, K.. . OS *
WJ > IS... dl. De. og ds | Sh
The PREFACE xii
be thus preſerv'd, when ſo great a Mulli-
= inde were thus imminently expoſed : It look-
ed as tbo' it was impoſſibl: it ſhould be
iber wiſe, than that great Numbers ſhould
inſtantly be cruſhed to death or daſhed in
Pieces: It ſeems unreaſonable to aſcribe it
% any thing elſe, but the Care of Pro-
© vidence in diſpoſing the Mctions of every Stick
= of Timber, and the preciſe Place of Safety
= where every one ſhould fit and fall, when
none were in any Capacity to take care
/r their own Preſervalign. The Preſerva-
lion ſeems. to be maß wdnderful, with re-
EX /pe to the Women, and Children that were
i tbe middle Ally, under the Gallery, where
it came down firſt, and with greateſt Force,
and where was nothing to break the Force of
be falling weight, 1
Such an Event may be a ſufficient Ar-
gument of a Divine Providence over the
Lives of Men, We thought our ſelves cal-
ed to ſet a-part a Day to be ſpent in ibe
= /olemn Worſhip of God, to bumble our-
* 25
a ve under ſuch a Rebuke of God ufon us
2 i be tine of public Service in God's
of Houſe by ſo dangerous and ſurprizing an Ac-
y eident; and to praiſe his Name for ſo mon-
27. derful, and as it were Miraculous a. Pre-
% alien; and the laſt Wedneſday was kept
TY by us to that End: And a Mercy in which
the Hand of God is ſo remarkably evident.
N a may
xiv The PRE FA [$38
may be well Wonen ts aff. the Hearts
of all that bear it.
Thus far the Letter EE Lens
; ,
But it is time to onclute our Preface:
If there ſhould be any thing found in
this Narrative of the ſurprizing Conver-
ſion of ſich Numbers of Souls, where
the Sentiments or the Style of the Relater,
or his Inferences from Matters of Fact,
do not appear ſo agreeable to every Rea- i:
der, we hope it wil have no unhappy RF
influence to diſcourage the Belief of this
_ glorious Event. We muſt allow every
Writer his own Way; and muſt allow
him to chuſe what particular Inſtances
he would ſelect, from the numerous Caſes
which came before Him. And tho' he
might have choſen others perhaps, of,
more ſignificancy in the eye of the World,
than the Moman and the Child, whoſe Ex-
periences he relates at large; yet *tis e-
vident he choſe that of the Woman, be-
cauſe ſhe was dead, and ſhe is thereby
uncapable of knowing any Honours or
Reproaches on this Account. And as for
the Child, thoſe who were preſent, and ſaw.
and heard ſuch a remarkable and laſting
Change, on one fo very young, muſt
neceſſarily. receive a ſtronger Impreſſion:
from it, and a mare agreca able Surprize
| than
—
*
*
The PRE FACE. e
chan the meer Narration of it can com.
municate to others at a diſtance. | Chil-
drens Language always, loſes .
Beautic es at ſecond- hand.
Upon the whole, whatever Defects any
Reader may find, or imagine in this Nar-
rative, we are well ſatisſy'd, that ſuch
an. eminent Work of God, ought-not to .
be conceal'd from the World : and as it
vas the Rov*. Author's. Opinion, ſo we
declare it to be ours alſo, that *tis ve-
ry likely: that this Account of ſuch an
extraordinary and illuſtrious Appearance
of divine Grace in the Converſion of
Sinners, may, by the Bleſſing of God,
have a happy Effect upon the Minds of
Men; towards, the Honour and Enlarge-
ment of the Kingdom of Chrift, much more
than any ſuppoſed Imperfection in this Re-
preſentation of it can do Injury,
May the worthy Writer of this Epiſtle,
and all thoſe his. Rev. Brethren in
the Miniſtry, who. have been honour'd
in this lied and important Service,
go on to fee their Eabours crown'd with
daily and perſevering Succeſs! May the
numerous Subjects of this ſurprizing Work
hold faſt what they have received, and
Increaſe in every Chriſtian Grace and
Bleſſing! May a plentiful Effuſion of
the bleſſed Spirit, alſo, deſcend on the
Britifh Iles, and all Thins American Plan.
4 tations
xvi ThePREFA CE
rations, to renew the Face of Religion
there! And we intreat our Readers in
both Englands, to join with us in our
hearty Addreſſes to the Throne of Grace,
that this wonderful Diſcovery of the hand
of God in ſaving Sinners, may incourage
our Faith and Hope of the Accompliſh- *
ment of all his Words of Grace, which are
written in the Old Teſtament and in the
| New, concerning the large Extent of this
Salvation in. the Latter Days of the World.
Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly, and ſpread
thy Dominion thro? all the Ends of the
r Amen. IT =:
be 4 F
Tr
Londen, 02 12. 1 Ly 37.
; 8 "= :
| IsAAc N AT TS.
e N 2 3 x oF .
my ; a =
A Faithful
INARRATIVE
OF E
1
| The Se Work of GOD 1 in *
Converſion of many Hundred Souls in
Northampton, of New-England, Se. 6.
Ina LETTER to = Revs. Dr, cou,
| TY 1 0 9 . E
vn
5 — * *
. E* Pf 2p
144 4
+ Tn 77 14
. Reverend and Honoured Sir, Ts
7 AVING ſeen your Letter" to
nmy honoured Uncle Mlliams of
= Hatfield of July 20, wherein
you inform him of the Notice
that has been taken of tlie late
wonderful Work of God, in this, and ſome
other Towns in this County ; by the 55 *
B .
2 A Narrative of 4 late fur prixing
Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyſe of London, and
the C ongregation to which the laſt of theſe
on a n 2 of ſolemn.
7 Mah,
you 13 me to e it; I woold
now do it, 3 as juſt and faithful 4 Man-
ner hop. cl ies, Ac A ,
be Peop le of che Cin: in be .
1 foppoſ, are as ſober, and orderly, and
fort of People, as in any Part of
New-England ; and I believe they have
been Prelerbel the freeſt by far, of any
Part of the Country from Error, and va-
riety of Ses and 'Opi nions. Our being
ſo far within the Land
from Sea- parts, and in a Corner of the
Country, his doubtleſs been one - Reaſon
why we have not been ſo much corrupted.
with Vice, as moſt other Parts. But with-
out queſtion, the Religion, and Or-
der of the County, and their Purity in
Dodrine, has, under God., been very much
owing. to the great Abilities, and eminent
Piety, of my venerable and honoured |
Grandfather Stoddard. I ſuppoſe we have
freeſt of any Part of the Land
at a diſtance
wn 2
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(1
„ Y, Gy OY RO SEE FI
Conder ons in New-England, 34.
The late lamentable * Springfield Contention.
We being 9 eparated from other
Parts of the. Frovince, and having com-
aratively but little Intetcourſe with them,
fave from the beginning, till now, al-
ways managed our eccleſiaſtical Affairs
within our ſelves: *tis the way in which
the County, from its Infancy, has gone
on, by the practical Agreement of all,
and the way in which our Peace and good J
Order has hitherto. been maintained.
The Town of Northampton is of about
82 Trars ſtanding; and has now about 206. -
Families; which moſtly dwell more com;
patly together than any Town of ſuch. @
Bigneſs in theſe Parts of the Country;
which probably has been an Occaſion that
both our :Corruptions, and Reformation:
have Fan Frog: 9 to time, the gore:
ſwiftly propagated, from one to another,
2 * Town, Take the Toy in
general, and ſo far as I can „s they
are as Ratioual and Underſta ing a Peo-
ple as moſt I have been acquainted. with;
Many of them have been noted for Reli-
„ 2 „ Fi
The Springfield Contention relates to the Settle-
ment of a Miniſter there, which occaſion'd too Warm.
| Debates between ſome, both Paſtors and People, that
were for it, and others that were againſt it, on ac⸗-
count of their different Apprehenſions about his Prin-
ciples, and about ſome teps that were taken to aui
F 7 OG of rm
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6 2
OH —
4 4A Narrative of late Arena”
gion, and particularly, have been remarka-
le for theirdiſtin& Knowledge in things that
relate to Heart Religion, and Chriſtian
Experience, and their great Regards there-
tO.
Tam the third Miniſter that has been ſet·
tled in the Town: the Revi. Mr. Eleazar Ma-
ther, who! was the ft, was ordained in July,
1669. He was one whoſe Heart was nuch
in his Work, abundant in Labours for
the good of precious Souls; he had the
high Eſteem and great Love of his People,
and was bleſſed with no ſmall Succeſs, The
Revs. Mr. Stoddard, who ſucceeded him,
firſt to the Town the November after
bk Deith, but was not ordained till Sep-
tember 11. 1672, and died Feb. 11. 1728-9.
So that he continued in the Work of the
Miniſtry here, from his firſt coming to
Town, near 60 Fears. And as he was
eminent apid. renowned for his Gifts and
Grace ; 5 fo "he was bleſſed, from the be-
ginning, with extraordinary Succeſs in his
Miniſtty, in the Converſion of many Souls.
He had five Harveſts, as he called them:
The ſirſt was about 37 Years ago; the /e-
cn about 33 Years; the third about 403
the fourth about 24; the fifth and laſt a-
bout 18. Vears ago. Some of theſe Times
were much more remarkable than others,
añd the ingathering of Souls more plen-
tiful. Thoſe that were about 5 3, and *
an
5 . 4 >
Converſions in New-England. - 5
and 24 Years ago, were much greater than
either the firſt or the laſt: but in each of
them, I have heard my Grandfather ſay,
the bigger part of the young People in the
| Town, ſeemed to be mainly concerned for
their eternal Salvation. Ws
After the laſt of theſe, came a far more
degenerate time, (at leaſt among the young,
People) I ſuppoſe, than ever before. Mr.
Stoddard, indeed, had the Comfort before
he died, of ſeeing a time where there were
no ſmall Appearances of adivine Work a-
mongſt ſome, and a conſiderable Ingatber-
ing of Souls, even after I was ſettled with
him in the Miniſtry, which was about 2
Years before his Death; and I have rea-
ſon to 54% God for the great Advantage
I had by it, In theſe 7 Years there
were near twenty that Mr. Stoddard hoped
to be ſavingly converted; but there was
nothing of any General Awakening, The
greater Part ſeemed to be at that time
very inſenſible of the things of Religi-
on, and engaged in other Cares and Pur-
ſuits, Juſt after my Grandfather's Death,
it ſeemed to be a time of extraordinary
| Dulneſs in Religion: Licentiouſneſs for
ſome Years greatly prevailed among the
Youth of the Town; they were many of
them very much addicted to Night-walk-
ing, and frequenting the Tavern, and lewd
Practices, wherein ſome, by their Exam-
TY 4 Narrative of late ferprizing
ple exceedingly corrupted others. It was
their Manner very frequently to get toge
ther, in Conventions of both Sexes, for
Mirth and Jollity, which they called Fro-
ticks; and they would often ſpend the
greater part of the Night in them, with-
_ cut regard to any Order in the Families.
they belonged to: and indeed Family- Go.
vernment did too much fail in the Town.
It was become very cuſtomary with many
of our young People, to be. Indecent in
their Carriage at Meeting, which doubtleſs,
would not have prevailed to ſuch a degree,
bad it not ne that my Grandfather,.
through his great Age, (tho” he retained-
his Powers ſurprizingly to the /aft) was
not ſo able to obſerve them. There had
alſo long prevailed in the Town, a Spi-
rit of Contention between /wo Parties, in-
to which they had for many Years been
divided, by which, was maintain'd a Fea--
louſy one of the other, and they were pre-.
pared to appoſe one another-in all publick-
Affairs.
But in u or three Years after Mr.
4 Stoddard's Death, there began to be a ſen-.
ſible Amendment of theſe Evils; the haun
People ſhew'd more of a Diſpoſition to
| hearken to Counſel, and by degrees left
off there Frolicking, and grew obſervably
mare Decent in their Attendance on the
Publick Worſhip, and there were more
RE tnt
E
e
——
Converſions in New- England. 7
that manifeſted a Religious Concern than
there uſed to be. WS
At the latter end of the Year 1733,
there appeared a very unuſual flexibleneſs,
and yielding to Advice, in our young
People. It had been too long their man-
ner to make the Evening after the Sabbath *,
and after our publick Lecture, to be eſ-
# pecially the Times of their Mirth, and
X company-keeping. But a Sermon was now
3 preached on the Sabbath before the Lec-
ture, to ſhew the Evil Tendency of the
Practice, and to perſuade them to re-
form it; and it was urged on Heads. of
Families, that it ſhould be a thing agreed
upon among them, to govern their Fami-
lies, and Keep their Children at home, at
theſe times; and withal it was more privately
moved, that they ſhould meet together, the
next Day, in their ſeveral Neighbourhoods,
do know each other's Mmds: which was ac-
cordingly done, and the Motion complied
with throughout the Town. But Parents
found little, or no occaſion for the exer-
eiſe of Government in the Caſe: the young
People declared themſelves convinced by
what they had heard from the Pulpit,
and were willing of themſelves to com-
it muſt be noted, that it has never been our
Manner, tô obſerve the Evening that fo/lows the Sab-
bath; bit that which frecedes it, as: part of holy
Vine)
. 5 15
8 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
ply with the Counſel that had been given:
and it was immediately, and, J ſuppoſe, al-
moſt univerſally complied with; and there
was a thorough Reformation of theſe Diſ-
orders thenceforward, which has continued
ever ſince, eee, Le 3
Preſently after this, there began to ap-
pear a remarkable Religious Concern at a
little Village, belonging to the Congre-
gation, call'd Paſcommuck, where a fe-
Families were ſettled, at about three Miles
- diſtance from the main Body of the Town.
At this place, a number of Perſons ſeemed
to be favingly wrought upon. In the A.
Pril following, Anno 1734, there happen'd
a very ſudden end awful Death of a young
Man, in the Bloom of his Youth ; who
being violently ſeized with a Pleuriſfy,
and taken immediately very delirious, died
in about #wo Days; which (together with
what was preached publickly on that Oc-
caſion) much affected many young People.
This was followed with another Death of
a young married Woman, who had been
* conſiderably exerciſed in Mind, about the
Salvation of her Soul, before ſhe was ill,
and was in great Diſtreſs, in the beginning
of her Illneſs ; but ſeemed to have ſatisfy-
ing Evidences of God's ſaving Mercy to
her, before her Death; ſo that ſhe died
very full of Comfort, in a moſt earneſt
and moving Manner warning, and coun-
ſelling
- Converſions in New- England. 9
ſelling others. This ſeem'd much to con-
tribute to the ſolemnizing of the Spitits
of many young Perſons: and there be-
gan evidently to appear more of a Re-
ligious Concern on People's Minds.
In the Fall of the Year, I propoſed it to
the young People, that they ſhould agree a-
mong themſelves to ſpend the Evenings after
Lectures in ſocial Religion, and to that end di-
vide themſelves into ſeveral Companies to
meet in various parts of the Town; which was
accordingly done, and thoſe Meetings have
been ſince continued, and the Example imita-
ted by elder People. This was followꝰd with the
Death of an elderly Perſon, which was atten-
ded with many «nuſual Circumſtances, b:
which many were much moved and affected
About this time, began the great Noiſe
that was in this Part of the Country, a-
bout Arminianiſm, which ſeemed to ap-
pear with a very /hreatning Aſpect upon
the Intereſt of Religion here. The Friends
of vital Piety trembled for fear of the If-
ſue ; but it ſeemed, contrary to their Fear,
ſtrongly to be over-ruled for the promo-
ting of Religion, Many who looked on
8 themſelves as in a Chritleſs Condition,
W ſeemed to be awaken'd by it, with fear
chat God was about to withdraw from the
Land, and that we ſhould be given up
to Heterodoxy, and corrupt Principles; and
that then their Opportunity for obtaining Sal-
+ his ö __ vation
10 A Narrative of late flrpriving
vation would be paſt; and many who
were brought a little to- doubt about the
"Truth of the Doctrines they had hitherto
been taught, ſeem' d to have a kind. of a
trembling Fear with their Doubts,. leſt-
they ſhould. be led into By-paths, to their
eternal undoing: And they ſeem'd with.
much Concern and Engagedneſs of Mind,
to enquire what was indeed the Way in.
which they muſt come to be accepted
with God. There were then ſome things.
faid publickly on that Occaſion, concerning
Tuftification by Faith alone. 3
Altho” great Fault was found wi ith med-. 37
dling with the Controverſy in the Pulpit,
by duch a Perſon, and at that time, and
tho' it was ridiculed by many elſewhere ;
0 it proved a Word Cohen in ſeaſon
ere; and was moſt evidently attended
with a very remarkable Bleſſing of Hea- 3
ven to the Souls of the People in this
Town. They received thence a general 1
ſatisfaction with reſpect to the main thing i
in queſtion, which they had been in trem-
bling doubts and concern about; and their
Minds were engag' d the more earneſtly. to.
| ſeek that they might cometo be accepted of
_ God, and ſaved in the Way of the of pel,
which had been made evident to them to
be the true and only Way: And they
it was, in the latter part of December, that |
* Spirit 7 God * extraordinarily to ſet 4
Converſions in New- England. 11
in, and wonderfully to work amongſt us;
and there were, very ſuddenly, one after
another, five or ſix Perſons, who were
to all appearance ſavingly converted, and
ſome o* chem wrought upon in a. very re-
markable manner.
Particularly, I was Breed with the
relation of a young Moman, who had been
one of the greateſt Company-Keepers in
the whole Town : When ſhe came to me,
I had never heard that ſhe was become in
any wiſe ſerious, but by the Converſation.
then had with her, it appeared to me, that
what ſhe gave an account of, was a glori-
ous Work of God's infinite Power and ſo-
3 vereign Grace; and that God had given
er anew Heart, truly broken and ſancti-
bed. I cculd not then doubt of it, and
have ſeen much in my Acquaintance with.
her ſince to confirm it. ?
Tho” the Work was glorious, yet I was
IF filled with concern about the Efe# it
4 might have upon ot hers : I was ready to
Lonclude (tho? too raſhly). that ſome would
be Harden d by 1 It, in careleſſneſs and looſes
2X neſs of Life; and would take occaſion
from it to open their Mouths, in Reproaches
of Religion. But the Event was the Re.
verſe, to a wonderful degree; God made
ir, I ſuppoſe, the great ottaft on of awas
&ening- to. others, of any thing that ever
Eame to paſs! in the Town. I have had
2 Wet ; 7
among e 0
ges; the Noiſe amongſt the Dry Bones
12 A Narrative of late furprizing
abundant Opportunity to know'the Ef-
fect it had, by my private Converſation
with many. The news of it ſeemed to be
almoſt like a faſo of Lightning, upon the
Hearts of young People, all over the Town,
and — See many others. Thoſe Perſons a-
who uſed to be fartheſt from ſeri-
oukichs, and that I moſt feared would make
an ill Improvement of it, ſeemed greatly
to be awakened with it; many went to
talk with her, concerning what ſhe had
met with; and what appeared in her
ſeemed to be to the Satisfaction of all
that did ſo.
Preſently upon this, a reat and earneſt
c Concem about the great things of Relig:
on, and the eternal World, became
wniverſal in all pare of the Town, and
Il Degrees, and all A-
waxed louder and louder: All other talk
but about ſpiritual and eternal things,
was ſoon thrown by; all the Converſa-
tion in all Companies, and upon all occa-
Hons, was upon theſe things only, un-
leſs ſo much as was neceſſary for People,
carrying on their ordinary ſec lar Buſineſs.
Other Diſcourſethan of the things of Reli-
ion, would ſcarcely be tolerated in any
any. The Minds of People were
ole taken off from the World, it;
was amongſt us as a thing of very
Converſions in New-England. 13
little Conſequence : They ſeem'd to follow
their worldly Buſineſs, more as a part of
their Duty, than from any Diſpoſition they
had to it; the Temptation now ſeemed to lie
on that hand, to negle worldly. Affairs
too much, and to ſpend too much Time
in the immediate Exerciſe of Religion:
Which Thing was exceedingly miſrepre-
W ſented by Reports that were ſpread in diſ-
tant Parts of the Land, as tho? the People
here had wholly thrown by all worldly
Buſineſs, and betook themſelves entirely
to Reading, and Praying, and ſuch like
religious Exerciſes,
But altho* People did not ordinarily
neglect their worldly Buſineſs; yet there
chen was the Reverſe of what commonly is:
EKeligion was with all ſorts the great (
cern, and the Worid was a thing only by the
Bye. The only Thing in their view was to
On-
get the Kingdom of Heaven, and every one
appeared preſſing into it: The Engagedneſs
of their Hearts in this great Concern cou'd
not be Bid, it appear'd in their very Coun-
enances. It then was a dreadful Thing a-
mongſt us to lie out of Chriſt, in danger
every day of dropping into Hell; and
what Perſons minds were intent upon was
to eſcape for their Lives, and to fly from be
Wrath to come. All would eagerly lay hold
of opportunities for their Souls; and were
wont very often to meet together in pri-
: vate
14 AX Narrative of late ſurpriging”
vate Houſes, for religious Purpoſes: And
fuch Meetings when eee woat |
greatly to be thronged.
There was ſcarcely a ſingle Perſon in the
1 Town, either old or young, that was left
unconcerned about the great Things of the
eternal World. Thoſe that were wont to
be the vaineſt, and looſeſt, and thoſe that had iſ
been moſt diſpoſed to think, and ſpeak 8
ſlightly of vital and experimental Religi-
on, were now generally ſubject to great
. awakenings. And the Work of Conver-.
fron was carried on in a moſt aſtoniſhing
manner, and increaſed more and more;
Souls did as it were come by Flocks to
Jeſus Chriſt. From Day to Day, for ma- 3
ny Months together, might be ſeen _ SB:
dent Inftances of Sinners brought out of
Darkneſs into marvellous Light,. and deli 4
vered owt of an horrible Pit, and from the
miry Clay, and ſet upon a Rock with a new ©
eng of Praiſe to God in their mouths.
This Work of God, as it was carried on,
on the Number of true Saints multiplied, 1
ſoon made a glorious Alteration in the
Town ; ſo that in the Spring and Summer
following, Auno 1735, the Town ſeemed
to be full of the Preſence of God: It ne-
ver was ſo full of Love, nor. fo tull of
Jey; and yet ſo full of Diſtreſs, as it was
then. There were remarkable Tokens of
God's: Preſence in almoſt every has
Comverfions in New-England. 15
lt was a time of Joy in Families on the
account of Salvation's being brought unto
them; Parents rejoicing over their Chil-
X dren as new born, and Husbands over their
Wives, and Wives over their Huſbands.
De goings of God were then ſeen in his
$anfiuary, God's Day was @ delight, and
his Tabernacles. were amiable.. Our pub-
lick Aſemblies were then beautiful; the
MW Congregation was alive in God's Service,
-at every one earneſtly intent on the Publick.
Worſhip, every Hearer eager to drink in
tte Words of the Miniſter as they came
from his Mouth; the Aſſembly in gene-
ral were, from time to time, in Tears
= while the Word was preached; ſome weep-
ing with Sorrow and Diſtreſs, o/hers' with,
Joy and Love, others with Pity, and Con-
li- N cern for the Souls of their Neighbours.
Our publick Praiſes were then greatly
enliven'd; God was then ſerved in our
W2P/almody, in ſome meaſure, in the Beauty
M Holineſs. It has been obſervable, that
ere has been ſcarce any part of Divine
Worſhip, wherein good Men amongſt us
have had Grace ſo drawn forth, and their
Hearts ſo lifted up in the Ways of God,
as in ſinging his Praiſes: Our Congrega-
tion excell'd all that ever I knew in the ex-
Jernal Part of the Duty before, the Men
Wegcncrally carrying regularly, and well,
three Parts of Mufick, and the Nomen a
16 A Narrative of late ſurprixing
Part by themſelves: But now they were
evidently wont to ſing with unuſual Ele-.
vation of Heart and Voice, which made
the Duty pleaſant indeed. -
In all Companies, on other Days, on
whatever Occaſions Perſons met together,
Chriſt was to be heard of, and ſeen in the
. midſt of them. Our young People, when |
they met, were wont to ſpend the Time |
in talking of the Excellency and dying Love
of FESUS CHRIST, the Gloriouſneſs of
the way of Salvation, the wonderful, free,
"Mi and ſovereign Grace of God, his glorious |
. Work in the Converfon of a Soul, the
14 Truth and Certainty of the great Things
of God's Word, the Sweetneſs of the
Views of his Perfections, Sc. And even at
Weddings, which formerly were meerly i
occaſions of Mirth and Jollity, there was
. now no diſcourſe of any thing but the
Flt things of Religion, and no appearance of
1 any, but ſpiritual Mirth,
lh boſe amongſt us that had been former-
we ly converted, were greatly enliven'd and
110 renew'd with freſh and extraordinary In-
"I comes of the Spirit of God; tho? ſome
"nn 'much more than others, according to the
[ "meaſure of the Gift of Chriſt : Many that
before had laboured under Difficulties a-
bout their own State, had now their
Doubts removed by more ſatisfying Expe-
\rience, and more clear Diſcoveries of
God's Love, 8 When
Converſions in New-England. 17
When this Work of God firſt appeared,
and was ſo extraordinarily carried on a-
mongſt us in the Winter, others round a-
bout us, ſeemed not to know what to make
of it; and there were many that ſcoffed at
and ridiculed it; and ſome compared what
Wwe called Converſion, to certain Diſtempers.
But it was very obſervable of many, that oc-
caſionally came amongſt us from abroad,
with diſregardful Hearts, that what they
aw here cured them of ſuch a Temper of
Mind: Strangers were generally ſurprized
to find Things ſo much beyond what they
had heard, and were wont to tell others
that the State of the Town could not be
conceiv'd of by thoſe that had not ſeen it.
The Notice that was taken of it by the
People that came to Town on occaſion of
the Court, that ſat here in the beginning
of March, was very obſervable. And
IF thoſe that came from the Neighbourhood
to our publick Lectures, were for the
moſt part remarkably affected. Many
that came to Town, on one occaſion or o-
ther, had their Conſciences ſmitten, and
TW awaken'd, and went home with wounded
Hearts, and with thoſe Impreſſions that
never wore off till they had hopefully a
WT ſaving Iſſue; and thoſe that before had
ſerious Thoughts, had their Awakenings
and Convictions greatly increaſed. .
| ” there
__ Dame, it
3g Narrative of late ſurprixing
there were many Inſtances of Perſons that
came from abroad, on Viſits, or on Buſi-
neſs, that had not been long here before
to all Appearance they were ſavingly
wrought upon, and partook of that Shower
of divine Bleſſing that God rained down.
here, and went home Rejoicing; *till at
length the ſame Work began evidently to
appear and prevail in ſeveral other Towns:
Fo ² A oINEEEES
In the Month of March, the People in
South- Hadley began to be ſeized with deep
_ Concern about the Things of Religion;
which very ſoon became univerſal: And
the Work of God has been very wonder-
ful tbere; not much, if any thing, ſhort of
what it has been here, in proportion to the
bigneſs of the Place. About the ſame
* began to break forth in the Weſt
part of Suffeld, (where it has alſo been ve-
ry great,) and it ſoon ſpread into all parts
of the Town. It next appear'd at Sunder-
land, and ſoon overſpread the Town; and
I believe was, for a Seaſon, not leſs te-
markable than _it was here. About the
ſame time, it began to appear in a part of
Deerfeld, called Green-River, and after-
wards fill'd the Town, and there has been
a glorious Work there: It began alſb to
be manifeſt, in the South part of afield,
in a place called the Hill, and after that
the whele Torn, in the ſecend Week in
„ April,
C
＋ * 2
bet ons in New-England: ry
April, ſeemed to be ſeized, as it were at
once, with Concern about the Things of
Religion; and the Work of God has been
great there. There has been alſo a very
general Awakening at f- Springfield, and:
Long-Meadow;-and in Enfield, there was for
a time a pretty general Concern amongft
ſome that before had been very looſe Per-
ſons. About the ſame time 92 this ap-
pear'd at Enfield, the Rev“ Mr. Bull of.
Weſtfield informed me, that there had been
1 Alteration there, and that more
been done in one Week there than in
ſeven” Nears before. Something of this
Work tikewiſe appeared in the firſt Pre-
cin&t in Springfield, . in the
North and South Extremes of the Pariſh.
And in Hadley old Town, there gradual--
ly appear 'd N much of a Work of God on
Souls, as at another time would have
been thought worthy of much Notice.
For a ſhort time there was alſo a very
great and general Concern, of the like
nature, at Northfield. And wherever
this Concern appeared, it ſeemed not to
be in vain: But in every place God
brought ſaving Blefſings with him, and
bis Word attended with his Spirit (as we
have all reaſon to think) return'd not
void, It might well be ſaid at that time
in all Parts of the. County Wha are ay
that:
Windows ? - |
As what other Towns heard of and
found in this, was a great means of a-
20 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
that fly as a Cloud, and as Doves to their
| eS
o th
wakening them; ſo our hearing of ſuch a here,
ſwift, and extraordinary Propagation, Niem.
and Extent of this Work did doubtleſs for
a time ſerve to uphold the Work amongſt
The continual News kept alive thi
talk of Religion, and did greatly quickenf
us,
Th
ner a
oven.
Mr. 7
and rejoice the Hearts of God's People, erſe
and much awaken'd thoſe that looked 0
themſelves as ſtill % behind, and made
rave.
he ſu
them the more earneſt that they alſaſh,n ;
might ſhare in the great Bleſſing that other:
had obtain'd.
This remarkable pouring out of the Spirit
of God, which thus extended from one end te
the other of this County, was not confin'c
to it, but many Places in Connecticut have
aeg in the ſame Mercy: As for in
ſtance, the firſt Pariſh in Windſor, unde
the paſtoral Care of the Rev, Mr
Marſh, was thus bleſt about the ſam
time, as we in Northampton, while w
had vo Knowledge of each other's Circum
ſtances: There has been a very great In
gathering of Souls to Chri/# in that Place
and ſomething conſiderable of the ſam
Work began afterwards, in Eaft-W1nd/or
my honoured Fatber's Pariſh, which h
in times paſt, been a Place favoured wit
Ike v
a J
yhere
entle
deen n
he M
Ind to
douls t
f the-
rat fo
r. Gt
romot
ff a y
ompa
Som
eral o
form
Converſions in New-England. 21
ercies of this nature, above any on this
reſtern ſide of New-England, excepting
orthampton ; there having been four, or
fve Seaſons of the pouring out of the Spirit
o the general awakening of the People
here, ſince my Father's Settlement amongſt
nem. | | |
There was alſo the laſt Spring and Sum-
glUWner a wonderful Work of God carried on at
wentry, under the Miniſtry of the Revs.
Mr. Meacham: I had opportunity to con-
erſe with ſome of Coventry People, who
gave me a very remarkable Account of
he ſurprizing Change that appear'd in the
oft rude and vicious Perſons there, The
Wike was alſo very great at the ſame time
Wn a Part of Lebanon, called the Crank,
Where the Revi. Mr. Wheelock, a young
entleman is lately ſettled : And there has
deen much of the ſame at Durham, under
Sic Miniſtry of the Rev*. Mr. Chauncey;
nd to appearance no ſmall Ingathering of
f the young People in the firſt Precinct in
Watford, under the Miniſtry of the Revs,
Mr. Gould; where the Work was much
romoted - by the remarkable Converſion
f a young Woman that had been a great
ompany-Keeper, as it was here.
Something of this Work appeared in ſe-
eral other Towns in thoſe Parts, as I was
formed when I was there, the laſt Fall,
4
zouls there. And likewiſe amongſt many
— — W
I •ůãꝓ en
Mr. Noyes, and allo by Information we
4; Work at à Part of Guzlferd ; and very
conſiderable at Mansfield,” under the Mini-
firy- — the Rewe. Mr. Eleazar Williams ;
and an' unuſual religious Concern at 700.
* —
CINE... DANCER wad A > YE 6 :
— 49 . - - 4 * 4 1 . 1 2 Pee — — -4 © ne wm xm Ip þ * * - * <
, = — pe : 1 5
- ** .
- . *
v I POR IE? : a * *
* c , 2 [ <
FA . PTE - 0 27 O
Prxqſon, in the eaſtern Part of Connecticut,
which I was informed of, and ſaw ſome
at the Houſe; and in the Congregatio
ol the Rev. Mr. Lord, the Miniſter there;
who, with the Reva. Mr. Owen of Groton * **
——— —— ů ͤů U r ——w . —
1 — ———
_—y . * 0 — 2 Sr 7 22
"= — — — — — — ——————— ——— <a dges 270, 4c,
** "I - _= :
22 J Narrative / late furprizing.
And we have ſince been acquainted with Nan
ſomething, very remarkable of this nature
at another Pariſh in Stratford calPd Ripton,
under the paſtoral Care of the Rey. Mr.
Mills. And there was a conſiderable Re-
vival of Religion laſt Summer at .
Haven old Town, as I was once and a
informed by the Revi. Mr. Noyes the
niſter there, and by others: And 1
Letter which I very lately receiv'd *
have bad otherwiſe. This flouriſhing of Re-
Iigion ſtill continues, and has. Jatel; y much
increaſed: Mr, Noyes writes, that SD
Summer have been added to the Church, and
1 mentions ſeveral young Per-
ſons that belong to the Principal Families
of that Town.
There has been a degree of the fame ;
laud; and ſomething of it at Hebron, and
Bolton, There was alſo no ſmall Effuſionfſ
af the Spirit of God in the North Pariſh in
thing of it, when I was the laſt Autum
Came
.
=
Converſions m New-England, 23
came up hither in May, the laſt Lear, on
purpoſe to ſee the Work of God here;
n, and having heard various and contradiCto-
r ry Accounts of it, were careful when they
e. JVere here to inform, and ſatisfy them-
„ Wiclves:; and to that end particularly con-
Ii. 13 declared to be entirely to their Satis-
a formed his Congregation of what .he had
Lift with it, and that it proved the beginning
ſeemed to be remarkably converted. I
ſomething of the ſame Work at Woodbury.
But this Shower of divine Bleſſing has
'E ſmall Degree of it in ſome parts of the
ferſeys ; as I was informed when I was at
that time of the Year for my Health,)
by ſome People of the Ferſeys, whom I
ſaw : Eſpecially the Rev“. Mr. William
ſuch Things much at heart, told me of
Fa very great awakening of many in a
Place called the Mountains, under the Mi-
verſed with many of our People; which
faction; and that the one half had not been
told them, nor could be told them. Mr. Lord
told me that, when he got home, he in-
ſeen, and that they were greatly affected :
of the ſame Work amongſt them, Which
der- prevailed till there was a general Awaken-
lies ing, and many Inſtances of Perſons, who
alſo have lately heard that there has been
been yet more extenſive: There was no
N-w-York, (in a Jong Journey I took at
Tennent, a Miniſter, who ſeemed to have
4A
p
|
y
;
4
*
niſtry
#
4 4 .
5 1 _—_— 4 ” Gam 1 I ö .
s om VE ed Rs — " a — : ; :
5 8 4 7 4 , COW . 2 8 hg - 8 PL ” Fad
2 A 8 ” 6. wy * 1 . * . =_— 4% * Me T2
bs r . 8 5 . -» 4, 3% „* bes CY * r —2 4 . * * 2
N
|
Fredingbouſa.
about us, has been extraordinary on ac-
count of the Univer/ality of it, affecting
all ſorts, ſober and vicious, high and low,
rich and poor, wiſe and unwiſe; it reach'd
the moſt conſiderable Families and Perſons,
of the young People have been greatly at-
| fected; but old Men, and little Children |
cerned, it would be ſpoken of as a ffrange ¶ to
Fs pL
24 4 Narrative 97 late furprizing
niſtry of one Mr. Croſs ; and of a very con-
ſiderable Revival of Religion in another
Place under the Miniſtry of his Brother
the Rev, Mr. Gilbert Th ennent ; and alfo
at another Place, under the Miniſtry of a
very pious young Gentleman, a Dutch
Miniſter, whoſe Name as I remember was
This ſeems to have been a very extra-|
ordinaty Diſpenſation of Providence: God
has in many Reſpects gone out of, and
much beyond his uſual, and ordinary Way. |
The Work in this Town, and ſome others
to all appearance, as much as others. In
former ſtirrings of this nature, the Bulk
have been ſo now. Many of the laſt have,
of their own accord, formed themſelves T
into religious Societies, in different Parts of | 8 <
the Town: A looſe. careleſs Perſon could WM **
ſcarcely find a Companion in the whole| 9
Neighbourhood; and if there was any ont 8
Ul
that med to remain ſenſeleſs or uncon- al
Thi .
Converſions in New-England, 25
This Diſpenſation has alſo appeared ve-
ry extraordinary in the Numbers of thoſe,
on whom we have reaſon to hope it has
had a ſaving Effect: We have about ſix
hundred and twenty Communicants, which
include almoſt all our adult Perſons. The
Church was very large before; but Per-
ſons never thronged into it, as they did in
the late extraordinary Time :---Our Sa-
craments are eight Weeks aſunder, and I
receiv'd into our Communion about an
Hundred before one Sacrament, and four-
ſcore of them at one time, whoſe Appear-
ance, when they preſented themſelves toge-
ther to make an open explicit Profeſſion of
Chriſtianity, was very affecting to the
Congregation:---I took in near ſixty before
the next Sacrament- Day: And I had very
ſufficient Evidence of the Converſion of
their Souls, thro? divine Grace, tho? it is
not the Cuſtom here, as it is in many other
Churches in this Country, to make a credi-
ble Relation of their inward Experiences
2 ground of Admiſſion to the Lord's
f ô’ Ü». at no ee Ee!
I am far from pretending to be able to
determine how many have lately-been the
Subjects of ſuch Mercy; but if I may be
allowed to declare any thing that appears
to me probable in a thing of this nature,
I hope that more than goo Souls were
ſavingly brought home to Chrif, in this
26 A Narrative of /ate ſurprizing
Town, in the ſpace of half a Year, (how
many more I don't gueſs) and about
the ſame Number of Males as Females;
which, by what I have heard Mr. Stoddard
ſay, was far from what has been uſual in
Years paſt, for he obſerved that in his
Time, many more Women were convert-
ed than Men. Thoſe of our young Peo-
ple, that are on other accounts moſt like-
ly and conſiderable, are moſtly, as I
hope, truly Pious, and leading Perſons in
the Ways of Religion. Thoſe that were
N looſer young Perſons, are gene-
rally, to all Appearance, become true
Lovers of God and Chrift, and ſpiritual
in their Diſpoſitions. And I hope that
by far the greater part of Perſons in this
Town, above 16 years of Age, are ſuch
as have the ſaving knowledge of Jes
Cbriſt; and ſo by what I heard I ſuppoſe
it is in ſome other Places, particularly: at
Sunderland and South-Hadley. .
This has alſo appeared to be a very ex-
traordinary Diſpenſation, in that the Spi-
rit of God has ſo much extended not only
his awakening, but regenerating Influen-
ces, both to elderly Perſons, and alſo
thoſe that are very young. It has been a
thing heretofore rarely to be keard of,
that any were converted paſt middle Age;
but now we have the ſame Ground to
think, at many ſuch have in this be
1 een
Converſions in New-England. 27
bedg ſavingly- changed, as that others have
been ſo-in more early Years, I ſuppoſe
there were upwards of ffty Perſons in
this Town above 40 years of Age; and
more than twenty of them above 50, and
about ten of them above 60, and zwo of
them above 70 years of Age.
It has heretofore been looked on as a
ſtrange Thing, when any have ſeem'd ta
be ſavingly wrought upon, and remark-
ably changed in their Childhood; but now,
I ſuppoſe, near /h77ty were to Appearance
fo wrought upon between 10 and 14 years
of Age, and wo between g and 10, and
one of about 4 years of Age; and becauſe
I ſuppoſe this laſt will be moſt difficult
believed, I will hereafter give a particu-
lar Account of it. The Influences of God's
Spirit have alſo been yery remarkable on
Children in ſome other Places, particu-
larly at Sunderland and South-Hadley, and
the Welt part of Suffield, There are ſeve-
ral Families in this Town that are all
hopefully pious; yea, there are ſeveral
numerous Families, in which, I think,
we have reaſon to hope that all the Chil-
dren are truly godly, and moſt of them
lately become ſo : And there are very few
Houſes in the whole Town, into which
Salvation has not lately come, in one or
more Inſtances. There are ſeveral Ne-
groes, that from what was ſeen in them
7
23 A Narrative of late farprizing
then, and what is diſcernable in them ſince,
appear to have been truly born again in
the late remarkable Seaſon,
God has alſo ſeemed to have gone out
of his uſual way, in the Quictneſs of his
Work, and the ſwift Progreſs his Spirit
has made i in his Operations on the Hearts
of many: *Tis wonderful that Perſons
ſhould be ſoſuddenly, and yet ſo greatly
changed: Many have been taken from
a looſe and careleſs way of Living, and
ſeized with ſtrong Convictions of their
Guilt and Miſery, and in a very little
time old Things have paſſed away, and
all Things have become new with them,
God's Work has alſo appeared very
extraordinary, in the Degrees of the In-
fluences of his Spirit, both in the Degree
of Awakening and Conviction, and alſo
in the Degree of ſaving Light, and Love,
and Joy, that many have experienced,
It has alſo been very extraordinary in the
_ Extent of it, and its being ſo ſwiftly propa-
. gated from Town to Town, In former
Times of the pouring out of the Spirit
. of God on this Town, tho' in ſome of
them it was very remarkable, yet it
reached no further than this Town, the
neighbouring Towns all around continued
unmoved.
The Work of God's Spirit ſeemed to
be at its greateſt Height in this Town,
in
Converſions in New-England. 29
in the former part of the Spring, in March
and April; at which time God's Work
in the Converſion of Souls was carried on
amongſt us in ſo wonderful a manner, that
ſo far as I, by looking back, can judge
from the particular Acquaintance I have
had with Souls in this Work, it appears
to me probable, to have been at the Rate,
at leaſt, of four perſons in a Day, or near
thirty in a Week, take one with another,
for five or ſix. Weeks together: When
God in ſo remarkable a manner took the
Work into his own Hands, there was as
much done in a Day.or two, as at ordina-
ry Times, with all Endeavours that Men
can uſe, and with ſuch a Bleſſing as we
commonly have, is done in a Tear.
T am very ſenſible how apt many
would be, if they ſhould ſee the Account
1 have here given, preſently to think with
themſelves that I am very fond of making
a great many Converts, and of magnifying
and aggrandizing the matter; and to thin
that, for want of Judgment, I take every
religious Pang, and ethuſiaſtick Conceit,
for ſaving Converſion ; and 1 don't much
wonder if they ſhould be apt to think
fo: and for this reaſon I have forborn
to publiſh an Account of this great Work
of God, tho? I have often been put upon
it; but having now as I thought a ſpecial
Call to give an account boy it, upon ma-
"© 3 6 ture
; 5 a
rr I
30 A Narrative of late furprizing
ture Conſideration I thought it might not
be beſide my Duty todeclare this amazihg
Work, as it appear'd to me, to be indeed
Divine, and to conceal no part of the
Glory of it, leaving it with God to take
care of the Credit of his own Work, and
running the venture of any cenſorious
Thoughts, which might be entertain'd of
me to my diſadvantage: But that diſtant
Perſons may be under as great Advantage
as may be, to judge for themſelves of this
Matter, I would be a little more large, n
and particular.
therefore proceed to give an Account
of the manner of Perſons being wrought
upon; and here there is a vaſt Varie-
perhaps as manifold as the Sub-
jects of the Operation; but yet in many
5 Things there is a great Analegy, in
all.
Perſons are firſt awaken'd with a Senſe
of their miſerable Condition by Nature,
the Danger they are in of periſhing eter-
| nally, and that it is of great Importance
to them that they ſpeedily eſcape, and
t into a better State. Thoſe that before
were ſecure and ſenſeleſs, are made ſenſible
how much they were in the way to ruin
in their former Courſes. Some are more
ſuddenly ſeized with Convictions; it may
be, by the News of others Converſion,
or ſomething they hear i in publick, or in
private
% na,
i _
5
i. OM rons in New-England. 3t
private Conference, their Conſciences are
ſuddenly ſmitten, as if their Hearts were
pierced through with a Dart: Others have
Awakenings that come upon them more
gradually, they begin at firſt to be ſome-
thing more thoughtful and conſiderate,
ſo as to come to a Concluſion in their
Minds, that *tis their beſt and wiſeſt way
to delay no longer, but to improve the
why Opportunity ; and have according-
| ſet themſelves ſeriouſly to meditate on
thoſe Things that have the moſt awaken-
ing Tendency, on purpoſe to obtain Con-
viftionsz and ſo their Awakenings have
increaſed, till a Senſe of their Miſery, by
God's Spirit ſetting in therewith, has had
faſt hold of them. Ozbers that, before
this wonderful time, had been ſomething
religious and concern'd for their Salvation,
have been awaken'd in a new manner,
and made ſenſible that their ſlack and
dull way of ſeeking was never like to at-
tain their Purpoſe, and ſo have been rouſ-
ed up to a greater Violence for the Kings
dom of Heaven.
Theſe Awakenings when they have
firſt ſeized on Perſons have had two Ef.
fects: One was, that they have brought
them immediately to quit their finful
Practices, and the looſer ſort haye been
brought to forſake and dread their former
Vices and Extravagancies. When once
C4 the
32 A Narrative of late ſurprix ing
the Spirit of God began to be ſo wonder-
fully poured out in a general way thro'
the Town, People had ſoon done with
their old Quarrels, Backbitings, and in-
termeddling with other Men's Matters;
the Tavern was ſoon left empty, and
Perſons kept very much at home; none
went abroad unleſs on neceſſary Buſineſs,
or on ſome religious Account, and every
Day ſeemed in many reſpects like a Sab-
bath-Day. And
that it put them on earneſt Application
to the means of Salvation, Reading, Pray-
er, Meditation, the Ordinances of God's
Houſe, and private Conference; their Cry
was bat ſhall we do to be ſaved? The place
of Reſort was now altered, it was no longer
the Tavern, but the Miniſter” s Houſe;
that was thronged far more than ever
the Tavern had been wont to be.
There 1s a very great variety, as to the
Degree of Fear and Trouble that Perſons
are exerciſed with, before they obtain any
comfortable Evidences of Pardon and Ac-
ceptance with God: ſome are from the
beginning carried on with abundantly more
Encouragement and Hope than others :
ſome have had ten times leſs trouble of Mind
than others, in whom yet the Iflue ſeems
to be the ſame. Some havehad ſuchaSenſe
of the Dupleaſure of God, and the great
IT
the other Effect was,
Converſions in New- England. 33
Danger they were in of Damnation, that
they could not ſleep at Nights; and many
have ſaid that when they have laid down,
the Thoughts of ſleeping in ſuch a Con-
dition have been frightful to them, and
they have ſcarcely been free from Ter-
rour while they have been aſleep, and
they have awaked with Fear, Heavineſs,
and Diſtreſs ſtill abiding on their Spirits,
It has been very common, that the deep
and fixed Concern that has been on Per-
ſons Minds, has hada painful Influence on
their Bodies, and given Diſturbance to
animal Nature.
The awful Apprehenſions Perſons have
had of their Miſery, have for the moſt
part been increaſing, the nearer they have
approached to Deliverance ; tho' they of-
ten paſs through many Changes, and Al-
terations in the Frame, and Circumſtances
of their Minds: Sometimes they think
themſelves wholly ſenſeleſs, and fear that
the Spirit of God has left them, and that
they are given up to judicial Hardneſs; yet
they appear very deeply exerciſed about
that Fear, and are in great earneſt to ob-
tain Convictions again,
Together with thoſe Fears, and that
Exerciſe of Mind which is rational, and
which they have juſt ground for, the
have often ſuffer'd many needleſs Dil. 5
treſſes of Thought, in Which Satan pro-
35 C5 | *
—
34 A Narrative of late ſurprixing
bably has a great hand, to entangle them,
and block up their way; and ſometimes
the Diſtemper of Melancholy has been evi-
- dently mixed; of which when it happens
the Tempter ſeems to make great advan- |
tage, and puts an unhappy Bar in the
way of any good Effect: One knows not
how to deal with ſuch Perſons, they turn
every Thing that is faid to them the
wrong way, and moſt to their own Diſ-
advantage : And there is nothing that the
Devil ſeems to make ſo great a handle of,
as a melancholy. Humour, unleſs it be
the real Corruption of the Heart. »
But it has been very remarkable, that
where has been far leſs of this Mixture in
this time of extraordinary Bleſſing, than
there was wont to be in Perſons under
awakenings at other Times; for it is evi-
dent that many that before had been ex-
ceedingly involved in ſuch Difficulties,
ſeem'd now ſtrangely to be ſet at liberty:
Some Perſons that had before, for a long
time, been exceedingly entangled with pe-
culiar Temptations, of one ſort or other,
and unprofitable and hurtful Diſtreſſes,
were ſoon helped over former Stumbling-
Blocks, that hinder'd any Progreſs to-
Wards ſaving Good; and Convictions have
_ wrought more kindly, and they have
been ſucceſsfully carried on in the way to
| Eee And hut beton ſeemed to be re-
2 =_— ſtrain'd,
Converſions in New- England. 35
ſtrain'd, till towards the latter end of this
wonderful Time, when God's Spirit was
about to withdraw. _ .
Many times Perſons under great A-
wakenings were concerned, becauſe they
thought they were not awaken'd, but mi-
ſerable, hard-hearted, ſenſeleſs, ſottiſn
Creatures ſtil], and ſleeping upon the brink
of Hell: The ſenſe of the Need they have
to be awaken'd, and of their compara-
tive Hardneſs, grows .upon them with
their Awakenings; ſo that they ſeem to
themſelves to be very /en/elz/5, when indeed
moſt /enfible. There have been ſome In-
ſtances of Perſons that have had as great a
Senſe of their Danger and Miſery, as their
Natures could well ſubſiſt under, ſo that
a little more would probably have deſtroy-
ed them; and yet they have expreſt them
ſelves much amazed at their own Inſenſi-
bility and Sottiſhneſs, in ſuch an extraor-
dinary Time as it then was. 3
Perſons are ſometimes brought to the
Borders of Deſpair, and it looks as black
as Midnight to them a little before the
Day dawns in their Souls; ſome few In-
ſtances there have been of Perſons, who.
have had ſuch a Senſe of God's Wrath for.
Sin, that they have been overborn, and
made to cry out under an aſtoniſhing Senſe
of their-Ggfile, wondering that God ſuffers
ſuch guilty Wretches to live upon _—
Niang e
SS ©
. oo.
. *
*
- © 4 _
36 A Narrative of late ſurprixing
and that he doth not immediately ſend
them to Hell; and ſometimes their Guilt
does ſo glare them in the Face, that they
are in exceeding Terrour for fear that God
will inſtantly do it; but more commonly
the Diſtreſſes under legal Awakenings
have not been to ſuch a Degree. In ſome
theſe Terrours don't ſeem to be ſo ſharp,
when near Comfort, as before; their Con-
victions have not ſeem'd to work ſo much 6
that way, but they ſeem to be led further 4
down into their own Hearts, to a further 1
Senſe 'of their own univerſal Depravity, t
and Deadneſs in Sin. .
The Corruption of the Heart has diſ-
cover'd it ſelf in various Exerciſes, in the
time of legal Convictions; ſometimes it
appears in a great Struggle, like ſome-
thing rouſed by an Enemy, and Satan the
old Inhatatant ſeems to exert himſelf, like
a Serpent diſturbed and enraged. Many
in ſuch Circumſtances, have felt a great
Spirit of Envy, towards the Godly, eſ-
pecially towards thoſe that are thought
do have been lately converted, and moſt
of all towards Acquaintance and Compa-
nions, ben they are thought to be convert-
ed: Indeed, ſome have felt many Heart-
riſings againſt God, and murmurings at his
ways of dealing with Mankind, and his
Dcalings with themſelves in particular.
It has been much inſiſted on, both in
Wy” Ga publick
Converſions in New-England. 37
Lens and private, that Perſons ſhould
have the utmoſt dread of ſuch envious
Thoughts, which if allowed tend exceed-
ingly to quench the Spirit of God, if
not to provoke him finally to forſake
them. And when ſuch a Spirit has much
prevailed, and Perſons have not ſo ear-
neſtly ſtrove againſt it as they ought
to have done, it has ſeem'd to be ex-
ceedingly to the hindrance of the Good
of their Souls: but in ſome other In-
ſtances, where Perſons have been much
terrified at the Sight of ſuch Wickedneſs
in their Hearts, God has brought Good
to them out of Evil; and made it a Means
of convincing them of their own deſpe-
rate Sinfulneſs, and bringing them off
from all Self- confidence. F
The drift of the Spirit of God in his
legal ſtrivings with Perſons, has ſeem'd
moſt evidently to be, to make way for, and
to bring to, a Conviction of their ab-
folute Dependance on his ſovereign Power
and Grace, and univerſal Neceſſity of a
Mediator, by leading them more and
more to a Senſe of their exceeding Wic-
kedneſs and Guiltineſs in his fight ; the
Pollution, and Inſufficiency of their own.
Righteouſneſs, that they can in no wiſe
help themſelves, and that God would be
wholly juſt and righteous. in rejecting
them, and all that they. do, and 1 caſt. ;
*
*
.
38 A Narrative of late ſurprixing
ing them off for ever : Tho? there be a
vaſt variety, as to the manner, and di-
ſtinctneſs of Perſors Convictions of theſe
things.
As they are anduatly more and more
convinced of the Corruption and Wic-
kedneis of their Hearts, they ſeem to
themſelves to grow worſe and worſe,
harder and blinder, and more deſperately
wicked, inſtead of growing better: they
are ready to be diſcouraged by it, and
oftentimes never think themſelves ſo far
of from Good, as when they are neareſt.
Under the ſenſe which the Spirit of God
gives them of their Sinfulneſs, they often
think that they difier trom all others ;
their Hearts are ready to ſink with the
thought, that they are the worſt of all,
and that none ever obtained Mercy that
were ſo wicked as they.
When Awakenings frft begin, their Con-
ſciences are commonly moſt cxerciſed a-
bout their outward vicious Courſe, or
other Acts of Sin; but afterwards, are
much more burdened with a ſenſe of
Hcart- ſins, the dreadful Corruption of their
Nature, their Enmity againſt God, the
Pride of their Hearts, their Unbelief,
their Rejection of Chriſt, the Stubborn-
neſs and Obſtinacy of their Wills; and
the like. In many, God makes much uſe
i their „ in the 8 of
{ eir
Converſions in New-England, 39
their Awakenings and Endeavours after ſa-
ving Good, to convince them of their
own vile Empiinef and univerſal Depra-
vity.
Very often under firſt Awakenings, when
they are brought to reflect on the Sin of
their paſt Lives, and have ſomething of
a terrifying ſenſe of God's Anger, they
ſet themſelves to walk more ſtrictly, and
confeſs their Sins, and perform many re-
ligious Dutys, with a ſecret Hope of a
peaſing God's Anger and making up for
the Sins they have committed: and of-
tentimes, at firſt ſetting , out, their Af.
fections are moved, and they are full of
Tears, in their Confeffions and Prayers,
which they are ready to make very much
of, as tho* they were ſome Attonement, and
had Power to move correſpondent. Af-
fections in God too: and hence they are
for a while big with Expectation of
what God will do for them; and con-
ceive that they grow better apace, and
ſnall ſoon be thoroughly converted. But
theſe Affections are but ſhort-lived, they
quickly find that they fail, and chen they -
think themſelves to be grown worle a-
gain; they don't find ſuch a Proſpect of
being ſoon converted, as they thought :
inſtead of being nearer, they ſeem to
be fartber off; their Hearts they think
are 8 * and 18 this. —_— þ
their
40 A Narrative of late /urprizing
their fears of periſhing greatly increaſe.
But tho' they are diſappointed, they re- A
new their Attempts again and again; MW ©
and ſtill as their Attempts are multiplied, by
ſo are their Diſappointments ; all fails, *
they ſee no token of having inclin'd 4.5
God's Heart to them, they don't ſec that N
he hears their Prayers at all, as they 10
expected he would; and ſometimes there ) 0
have been great Temptations ariſing hence 15
to leave off ſeeking, and to yield up ing
the Caſe. But as they are ſtill more 2
terrify'd with Fears of periſhing, and 12
their former Hopes of prevailing on God +
to be merciful to them in a great mea- =
ſure fail; ſometimes their religious Af- rae!
fections have turn'd into Heart-riſings * d
againſt God, becauſe that he won't pity D
them, and ſeems to have little regard to their N tn MX
| Diſtreſs, and piteous Cries, and to all 5 5
the Pains that they take: They think ett
of the Mercy that God has ſhown to 0- wc
thers, how ſoon, and how eaſily others h 2
have obtained Comfort, and thoſe too ; Hy
that were worſe than they, and have not G 0
labour'd ſo much as they have done, and TAC
ſometimes they have had even dreadful th
blaſphemons Thoughts, in theſe Circum- the
But when they reflect on theſe wicked to ch
Workings of Heart againſt Cod, if their ,
Convictions are continued, and the Spi-
rit
ä *
„„ ˙·˙· ] V' ꝓ—— ee
8 7
O
Converſions in New-England. 41
rit of God is not provoked utterly to
forſake them, they have more diſtreſſing
| Apprehenſions of the Anger of God fo-
wards thoſe, whoſe Hearts work after
ſuch a ſinful manner about him ; and it may
be have great Fears that they have commit-
ed the unpardonable Sin, or that God
will ſurely never ſhew Mercy to them
that are ſuch Vipers; and are often temp-
ted to leave off in deſpair. But then *
oy by ſomething they read or hear of the
infinite Mercy of God, and All-ſufficiency
of Chriſt for the chief of Sinners; they
have ſome Encouragement and Hope re-
newed ; but think that as yet they are
not fit to come to Chriſt; they are ſo wic-
ked that Chriſt will never accept of them:
and then it may be they ſet themſelves upon
a new Courſe of fruitleſs Endeavours in
their own Strength to make themſelves
better, and ſtill meet with new Diſap⸗
pointments: They are earneſt to enquire
what they ſhall do ? They don't know
but there is ſomething elſe to be done,
in order to their obtaining converting
Grace, that they have never done yet.
It may be they hope that they are ſome-
thing better than they were; but then
the pleaſing Dream all vaniſhes again. If
they are told, that they truſt too much
to their own Strength and Righteouſneſs,
they cannot unlearn this Practice all at
FFF e
42 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
once, and find not yet the appearance 100
of any Good, but all looks as dark as in
Midnight to them. Thus they wander as .
about from Mountain to Hill, ſeeking pel
reſt, and finding none: when they are fuf
beat out of one Refuge they fly to ano- the
ther, till they are as it were debilitated, bro- vin
ken, and ſubdued with legal Humblings ; the:
in which God gives them a Conviction and
of their own utter Helpleſſneſs and In- tha
ſufficiency, and diſcovers the true Reme- en
dy in a clearer knowledge of Chriſt and frui
. 8 TO
When they begin to ſeek Salvation, It:
they are commonly profoundly ignorant of I Fer:
themſelves ; they are not ſenſible how ſible
blind they are, and how little they can do and
towards bringing themſelves to fee ſpiri- gal
tual things aright, and zowards putting ||| thei
forth gracious Exerciſes in their own dow
Souls: they are not ſenſible how remote j teou
they are from Love to God, and other T
holy Diſpoſitions, and how dead they J&real
are in Sin. When they ſee unexpected Pol-
lution. in their own Hearts, they go a-
bout to waſh away their own Defilements
and make themſelves clean; and they
weary themſelves in vain, till God ſhows
them that *cis in vain, and that their
help is not where they. have ſought it,
but elſewhere,
.
But
Converſons in New-England. „ 3
But ſome Perſons continue wandering
in ſuch a kind of Labyrinth, ten times
as long as others, before their own Ex-
perience will convince. them of their In-
ſufficiency; and fo it «Lye not to be
their own Experience only, but the con-
vincing Influence of God's Spirit with
their Experience, that attains the Effect:
and God has of late abundantly ſhown,
: that he don't necd to wait to have Men
convinced by long and often repeated
3 | fruitleſs Trials; for in mu'titudes of In-
. ag he has made a ſhorter work of
: he has ſo, awakened and convinced
Perfors Conſciences, and made them ſo ſen-
ſible of their exceeding great Vileneſs,
againſt Sin, as has quickly overcome all
their vain Self- confidence, and born them
teous God.
great Terrors, but have had a very quick
ſo deep a Conviction of theſe things be-
fore their Converſion, have, it may be,
much more of it afterwards. God has
any certain Method in his Proceed-
ons, In ſome Inſtances it ſeems eaſy for
thods
and given *em ſuch a ſenſe of his Wrath
down into the Duſt before a holy and righ-,
There have 13 D had
Work. Some of thoſe that han't had
appeared far from limiting himſelf to
ings with Sinners under legal Convicti-
our reaſoning Powers to diſcern the me-
r = = = —_ A >
44
4
1
|
|
h
|
* — —U — — — —
44 4 Narrative of late ſurprizing
thods of divine Wiſdom, in his Dealings
with the Soul under awakenings: in 6-
_ thers his Foot-ſteps can't be traced, and
his Ways are paſt finding out : and ſome
that are Jeſs diftinitly wrought upon, in
what is preparatory to Grace, appear 10
leſs eminent 1n gracious experiences after-
_ wards.
There is in nothing a greater Difference,
in different Perſons, than with reſpect to
the time of their being under Trou-
ble; ſome but a few Days, and others
for Months or Years. There were ma-
ny in this Town, that had been, before
this Effuſion of God's Spirit upon us,
for Years, and ſome for many Years,
concerned about their Salvation; tho? pro-
bably they were not thoroughly awaken'd,
yet they were concern'd to ſuch a Degree
_ as to be very uneaſy, ſo as to hvye an
uncomfortable diſquieted Life, and fo as
to continue in a way of taking conſi-
derable Pains about their Salvation, but
had never obtained any comfortable Evi-
dence-of a good Eſtate, who now in this
extraordinary time have received Light;
but many of them were ſome of the
laſt: They firſt ſaw Multitudes of others
rejoicing, and with Songs of Deliverance
in their Mouths, who ſeem'd wholly care-
leſs and at eaſe, and in purſuit of Vanity,
while they had been bowed down with ſol-
licitude
Converſions in New-England. 45
licitude about their Souls; yea ſome had
lived licentiouſly, and ſo continued till a
little before they were converted, and
grew up to a holy Rejoicing in the in-
fnite Bleſſings God had beſtowed upon
5 them. |
And whatever Miniſter has a like Oc-
caſion to deal with Souls, in a Flock
o under ſuch Circumſtances, as this was
- in the Jaſt Year, I can't but think he
vill ſoon find himſelf under a Neceſ-
. ſity, greatly to inſiſt upon it with them,
- that God is under no manner of Obliga-
s, tion to ſhew any Mercy to any natural
s, Man, whoſe Heart is not turn'd to God:
o- and that a Man can challenge nothing,
d, either in abſolute Fuftice, or by free Pro-
ee miſe, from any thing he does before he
an has believed on Fe/us Chrift, or has true
N Repentance begun in him. It appears
to me, that if I had taught thoſe that came
to me under trouble, any other Doctrine,
I ſhould have taken a moſt direct courſe
utterly to have undone them ; I ſhould
have directly croſs'd what was plainly the
drift of the Spirit of God in his Influ-
ences upon them; for if they had be-
lieved what I faid, it would either have
promoted Self-flattery and Careleſſneſs, and
ſo put an end to their Awakenings; or
cheriſhed and eſtabliſhed their Contention
and Strife with God, concerning his Deal--
ings
- —
a - ; O'S fog — —
— 2 4 — *
Fa”
* — =p; m. _ - 8 — —2 — -
—_ OI. ¶ —— — Ä • ——— —— — — — 2
- 2 8 a 4 * 1 * = 2 — * a
— — — a * 1 fa; —_ - * 4D 4
O *x = c * C 2
. * 2 Eo ft - 4 m * _ 2
. "
: at _ — n — * , — —
a — . . ˙ ... 7—＋§ꝙiꝗda s Pages el —
.
ments, Fear and Hope may be duly mix-Þ (x
ed, and proportion'd to preſerve their | G,,
ral Men, continuing ſuch, have been
_ Congregation, as ſome from thoſe Words,
46 A Narrative of late ſurprixing
ings with them and others, and block'd
up their Way to that Humiliation be-
fore the Sovereign Diſpoſer of Life and to
Death, whereby God is wont to prepare | chi
them for his Conſolations. And yet thoſe
that have been under Awakenings, have
oftentimes plainly ſtood in need of be-
ing encouraged, by being told of the inh- I neſ
nite and all- ſufficient Mercy of God inf ing
Chriſt ; and that 'tis God's manner to the
ſucceed Diligence, and to bleſs his own I the.
Means, that ſo Awakenings and Encourage- mie
Minds in a juſt Medium between the two per
Extremes of Self-flattery and Deſpondenc e, ſon
both which tend to Slackneſs, and Ne- to:
gligence, and in the end to Security. Goc
J think I have found that no Diſcourſcs I p.,;,
have been more remarkably bleſſed, than they
thoſe in which the Doctrine of God's ab- if 4
ſolute Sovereignty with regard to the] Pair
Salvation of Sinners, and his juſt Liber-F caſt
ty, with regard to anſwering the Pray- their
ers, or ſucceeding the Pains of natu-W mak
inſiſted on. I never found ſo much im-
mediate ſaving Fruit, in any meaſure, of
any Diſcourſes I have offered to my|
Rom. 3. 19. That every Mouth may be
ſtopped; endeavouring to ſhew from 8
&
Converſions in New-England. 47
that it would be juſt with God for ever
to reject and caſt off meer natural Men.
In thoſe in whom Awakenings ſeem
to have a faving Iſſue, commonly the firſt
thing that appears after their legal Troubles,
is a Conviction of the Juſtice of God
in their Condemnation, in a ſenſe of their
own exceeding Sinfulneſs, and the Vile-
neſs of all their Performances: In giv-
ing an account of this, they expreſs'd
themſelves very variouſly ; ſome, that
they ſaw that God was Sovereign, and
might receive others and reject them;
ſome, that they were convinced, that
God might juſtly beſtow Mercy on every
Perſon in the Town, and on every Per-
fon in the World, and damn themſelves
to all Eternity ; ſome, that they ſee that
God may juſtly have no regard to all the
Pains they have taken, andall the Prayers
they have made; ſome, that they ſee that
if they ſhould ſeek, and take the utmoſt
Pains all their Lives, God might juſtly
caſt them into Hell at laſt, becauſe all
their Labours, Prayers, and Tears cannot
make an Atonement for the leaſt Sin, nor
merit any Bleſſing at the hands of God;
ſome have declared themſelves to be in
the hands of God, that he can, and may,
diſpoſe of them juſt as he pleaſes ; ſome,
that God may glorify himſelf in their
Damnation, and they wonder that God has
/ To, vor a err OT
*
48 4 Narrative of late rn
ſuffered them to live ſo long, and has a
not caſt 'em into Hell long a 40. | ti
Some are brought to this Conviction 1 8
by a great ſenſe of their Sinfulneſs, in v
W, that they are ſuch vile wicked w
9 3 in Heart and Life: Others have G
the Sins of their Lives in an extraordi- I!
nary manner ſet before them; multitudes ly
of them coming juſt then freſh to their ti
Memory, and being ſet before them with | ot
their Aggravations; ſome have their m
Minds 2 fixed, on ſome particu- as
ar wicked Practice, they have indulged; at
ſome are eſpecially convinced by a Sight 1
of the Corruption and Widkedne, of =
| Hearts; ſome, from a View they have
of the Horridneſs of ſome particular Exer-
ciſes of Corruption, which they have had in
the time of their Awakening, whereby the
Enmity of the Heart againſt God has
been manifeſted ; ſome are convinced eſ-
pecially by a ſenſe of the Sin of Un-
: Port the ' Oppoſition of their Hearts
to the Way 5 Salvation by Chriſt, and
their * in rejecting him and his
Grace.
_* There is a oreat 1 of difference as to
perſons Diſtinneſs here; ſome, that han't
fo clear a Sight of God's Juſtice in their
_ Condemnation, yet mention things that
45 1 mpg it. They find a Diſpoſition
to acknow edge God 18 be juſt and righ-
teous
Converſions in New. England, 49
teous in his Threatnings, and that they
are . of nothing: And many
times, tho they had not ſo particular a
Sight of it at the Beginning, they have
very clear Diſcoveries of it ſoon afterwards,
with great Humblings in the Duſt before
- Commonly Perſons Minds immediate-
ly before this Diſcovery of God's Juſ-
| tice are exceeding reſtleſs, and in a kind
of Struggle and Tumult, and ſometimes in
meer Anguiſn; but generally, as ſoon
as they have this Conviction, it immedi-
ately brings their Minds to a Calm, and
a before- unexpected Quietneſs and Com-
poſure; and moſt frequently, tho? not al-
ways, then the preſſing weight upon their
Spirits is taken away, and a general Hope
ariles, that ſome time or other God will
be gracious, even before any diftin& and
particular Diſcoveries of Mercy; and often
they then come to a Concluſion within
themſelves, that they will lie at God's
feet, and wait his time; and they reſt in
that, not being ſenſible thar the Spirit of
God has now brought them to a Frame
whereby they are prepared for Mercy:
for *tis remarkable that Perſons, when
they - firſt have this ſenſe of the Juſtice
of God, rarely, m the time of it, think
any thing of its being that Humiliation
7
58 A Narrative of late ſutprizing
that they have often heard infiſted on,
and that, others experience. . _ 8
In many Perſons, the firſt Cav ies 5
of the Juſtice of God in their Condein- 1
nation, which they tage particular notice |
of, and . the firſt diſtinct Con- #
viction of it that they have, is of ſuch a Y pY
nature, as ſeems to be above any. thing meer-
p ly legal: Tho? it be after legal Humblings, A
and Bk of a ſenſe of their own Help- i M
j leſſneſs and of the Inſufficiency of their π n 2
i . Duties; yet it does not appear to be for- .
ö 2 A. meer legal Terrors and Convicti- U
g ut rather from an high Exerciſe of *
R . in ſaying Repentance, and evan- 7
. gelical Humiliation; for there is in it a 4
Y ſort of Complacency of Soul, in the A. he
1 tribute of God's Juſtice, as diſplay'd in 15
= His Threatnings of eternal Damnation to 5
Sinners. Sometimes at the Diſcovery of *
it, they can ſcarcely forbear crying out, :
*TIS JUST! TIS JUST! Some ex- PTE
preſs themſelves, that they ſee the Glory 5p
of God would ſhine bright in their own Con- 10
demnation; and they are ready to think bf
that if they are damned, they could take =
part with God againſt themſelves, and of
would: glorify his Juſtice therein. And 71 85
When it is thus, they commonly have ;
ſome evident ſenſe of free and all-ſuffi-
cient Grace, tho' they give no diſtinct
Mecount of it, but 'tis manifeſt, by that *
* " great Ne
t
it
ſons have found a
treſſes, continues ſome time before any
Tug and delightful Maniteſtation 1 is made
WFG
| Converſions in New-England, r
great degree of Hope and Encouragement
that they then conceive, tho? they were never
ſo ſenſible of their own Vileneſs and Ill.
deſervings as they are at that time.
Some, when in ſuch Circumſtances, have
felt that ſenſe of the Excellency of God's Ju-
ſtice, appearing in the vindictive Exer-
ciſes of it, againſt ſuch Sinfulneſs as theirs
was, and have had ſuch a Submiſſion of
Mind in their Idea of this Attribute,
and of thoſe Exerciſes of it, together
with an exceeding loathing of their own
Unworthineſs, and a kind of Indignation
againſt themſelves, that they have ſome- -
times almoſt call'd it a Willingneſs to be
| damned, tho' it muſt be owned they had
not clear and diſtin Ideas of Damna-
tion, nor does any Word in the Bible
require ſuch Self-denial as this. But the
truth is, as ſome have more clearly ex-
preſt it, that Salvation has appeared 2%;
good for. them, that' they. were" <yortby f
zothing. but Condenmation, and they. could
not tell how to think of Salvation's being”
beftowed upon them, tearing it was in-
conſiſtent with the Glory of God's Ma-
Jeſty, that. they had fo W contemned and
er
That Calm of 8 irit that ſome. Parr
Sp ter their legal 'Dul-
? D 2 3
52 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
to the Soul of the Grace of God, as re-
vealed in the Goſpel; but very often
ſome comfortable and ſweet View of a
merciful God, of a ſufficient Redeemer,
or of ſome great and joyful things
of the Goſpel, immediately follows, or
in a very little time: And in ſome, the
firſt Sight of their juſt Deſert of Hell,
and God's Sovereignty with reſpect to
their Salvation, and a Diſcovery of all-
{ufficient Grace, are ſo near, that they
ſeem to go as it were together.
Theſe gracious Diſcoveries thit are gi-
ven, whence the firſt ſpecial Comforts are
derived, are in many reſpects very various;
more frequently Chrift is diſtinctly made
the Object of the Mind, in his All- ſuf-
Aciency and Willingneſs to ſave Sinners:
But ſome have their Thoughts more eſ-
pecially fixed on God, in ſome of his
Tweet and glorious Attributes manifeſted
in the Goſpel, and ſhining forth in the
Face of Chriſt : Some view the All-ſuf-
ficiency of the Mercy and Grace of God;
ſome chiefly the infinite Power of God,
and his Ability to ſave them, and
to do all things for them; and ſome
look moſt at the Truth and Faithful-
neſs of God: In ſome, the Truth and
Certainty of the Goſpel in general is the
firſt joyful Diſcovery they have; in o-
thers, the certain Truth of ſome particular
Pro-
ad_
= yaw Ctcco.cTc cc cc x4
—
—
Converſions in New-England. 54
Promiſes; in ſome, the Grace and Sin-
cerity of God in his Invitations, very
commonly in ſome partieular Invitation
in the Mind, and it now appears real to
them that God does indeed invite them.
Some are ſtruck with the Glory and Won-
derfulneſs of the dying Love of Chrift
and ſome with the Sufficiency and Pre-
cCiouſneſs of his Blood, as offered to make
an Atonement for Sin; and others with
the Value and Glory of his Obedience
and Righteouſneſs, In ſome the Excel-
lency and Lovelineſs of Chrift,. chiefly
engages. their Thoughts; in ſome his Di-
vinity, that he is indeed the Son of the
living God, and in others, the Excellen-
cy of the way of Salvation by Chrif,
and the Suitableneſs of it to their Ne-
cennes.. „
Some have an Apprehenſion of theſe things
ſo given, that it ſeems more natural 10
them to expreſs it by Sight or Diſcove-
ry ; others think what they experience bet-
3» ter expreſſed by the Realiming Convictiou,
1 or a lively or feeling Senſe of Heart; mean-
x ing, as I ſuppoſe, no ether Difference
R _- ow p . * * %
* ** * my % * 5 * e * « 3 * * * 47S * 5
AL 41 » 3-4" * = * 3 - — Be ng: *% o = — 1 LES A": a * , . , ou ** * * w Y 2
9 n AT - * Vs - that 2 en ot 8
2 4 2 — * ww lt waz \ +. ” — * r *
a». m 8 4 —
mw 2
—
* 3
CY
©. I" | . D
EFF br
* but what is merely circumſtantial or gra-
* dual. . 1
d There 1s, often, in the Mind, ſome
* particular Text of Scripture, holding forth
A ſome evangelical ground of: Conſolation z _
8. ſometimes a Multitude of Texts, gra-
D 3 . cionz
*
4
in one after another, filling
more and more, with Comfort and Sa-
tisfaction: and Comfort is firſt given to
ſome, while reading ſome Portion of Scrip-
ture; but in ſome it is attended with #0
particular Scripture at all, either in Read-
—
cious Invitations and Promiſes flowing
the Soul
ing or Meditation. In ſome, many divine
things ſeem to be diſcover'd to the Soul
as it were at once; others have their
Minds eſpecially fixing on ſome one thing
at firſt, and afterwards a ſenſe is given
of others; in ſome with a ſwifter, and
- others a ſlower Succeſſion, and ſometimes
with Interruptions of much Darkneſs, /
The way that Grace ſeems ſometimes
firſt to appear after legal Humiliation,
is in -earneſt- Longings of Soul after
| God and Cbrit, to know God, to love
him, to be humbled before him, to have
Communion with Chrift in his Benefits ; z
which Longings, as they expreſs them,
ſeem evidently to be of ſuch a nature
as can ariſe from nothing but a ſenſe
- of the ſuperlative Excellency of divine
things, with a ſpiritual Taſte and Re-
-liſh of 'em, and an Eſteem of 'em as
their higheſt Happineſs and beſt Porti-
on. Such Longings as I ſpeak of, are
- commonly attended with firm Reſolutions
to purſue this Good for ever, together
withs hoping, lara Diſpoſition. When
Perſons
CTConveiſions in New- England. 55
Perſons have begun in ſuch Frames, com-
monly other Experiences and Diſcovertes
have ſoon followed, which have yet more
clearly manifeſted a change of Heart.
It muſt needs be conteſt that Chriſt
is nat always diſtinctly and explicitly thought
of in the firſt ſenſible Act of Grace, (tho”
moſt commonly he is; ) but ſometimes
he is the Object of the Mind only im-
pliciily. Thus ſometimes when Perſons:
have ſeem'd evidently to be ſtript of all
their own Righteouſneſs, and to have
ſtood ſelf- condemned as guilty of Death,
they have been comforted with a joy-
ful and ſatisfying View, that the Mercy
5 and Grace of God is ſufficient for them;
ö that their Sins, tho* never ſo» great, ſhall
r be no Hindrance to their being accep-
B ted; that there is Mercy enough in God
e for the whole World, and the like, when
; they give no Account of any particular
ly or diftint Thought of Chi but yet
E when the Account they give 1s duly 2
ed, and they are a little EN, ja a-
1C bout it, it appears that the ela-
e- tion of the Mercy of God in the Goſ-
as Opel, is the Ground of this their Encourage-
l- ment and Hope; and that it is indeed
re the Mercy of God thro' Chriſt, that is diſ-
us covered to them, and that *tis depended'
er on in him, and not in any wiſe. moved
en by any thing is bs.
n D 4 80
36 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
So ſometimes diſconſolate Souls amongſt
us, have been revived and brought to
reſt in God, by a ſweet ſenſe given of
his Grace and Faithfulneſs, in ſome ſpe-
cial Invitation or Promiſe, in which is
no particular mention of Chriſt, nor is it
accompanied with any diſtin Thought ofte
of him, in their Minds; but yet it is
not received as out of Chrift, but as one ther
of the Invitations or Promiſes made of Gd
to poor Sinners bro his Son Jeſus, as poſe
it is indeed: and ſuch Perſons have af- a f
terwards had clear and diſtin Diſcove- him
_ nies of Chrift, accompanied with lively in t.
and ſpecial *Actings of Faith and Love | gin:
„ co 4
It has more frequently been ſo a- and
mongſt us, that when Perſons have firſt don
had the Goſpel-Ground of Relief for ficie
loſt Sinners diſcovered to them, and have Chr,
been entertaining their Minds with the tion
ſweet Proſpect, they have thought nos chat
khing at that time of their being conver- men
ted : To ſee that there is ſuch an All- ſuffi- cove
- ciency in. God, and fuch plentiful Pro- of 1
- viſion made in Chriſt, after they have Com
been borne down, and ſunk. with. a ſenſe and
of their Guilt and Fears of Wrath, ex- clud
ceedingly refreſhes them; the View. is held
joyful to them, as tis in, its own na- oh
e glorious, and gives them quite new, plain
—4 delightful Ideas of God and The!
Cbriſt,
/
e
Converſions in New-England. 57
Chriſt, and greatly encourages them to
ſeek Converſion, and begets in them a
ſtrong Reſolution to give up themſelves,
and devote their whole Lives to God and his
Sen, and patiently to wait till God ſhall
ſee fit to make all effectual; and very
often they entertain a ſtrong Perſuaſion,
that he will in his own time do it for |
them.
There is wrought | in them a holy Re-
poſe of Soul in God through Chriſt, and
a ſecret Diſpoſition to Gar and love
him, and to hope for Bleſſings from him
in this way: and yet they have no 125
gination that they are now converted,
don't ſo much as come into their Minds:
and very often the Reaſon is, that they
don't ſee that they do accept of this ſuf-
ficiency of Salvation, that they | behold in
Chriſt, having entertain'd a wrong No-
tion of Acceptance; not being ſenſible
that the obedient and joyful Entertain.
ment which their. Hearts give to this Diſ-
covety of Grace, is a real Acceptance
of it: They know. not that the ſweet
Complacence they fee] in the Mercy
and complete Salvation of God, as it in-
cludes Pardon and Sanctification, and is
held forth to them only through Chrift,
is a true receiving of this Mercys or a
plain Evidence of their receiving it.
2 7 9 expected I know not what kind of
1 Act
58 HJ Narrative of late ſurpriaing
Act of Soul, and perhaps they had no tha
diſtinct Idea of it themſel yves. this
And indeed it appears very plainly tha
in ſome of them, that before their own late
Converſion they had very imperfet J. the
das what Converſion was: It is all new and
and ſtrange, and what there was no clear I Bab
Conception of before. Tis moſt evident EU that
as they themſelves acknowledge, that the Enl
Expreſſions that were uſed to deſcribe Con- Fel
'verſion, and the Graces of God's Spirit, ſuch | Cir
as @ ſpiritual Sight of Chriſt, Faith in Chriſt, | and
Poverty. of Spirit, Truſt in Cad, Refigned- deli
nes to: God, &c, were Expreſſions that | thus
did not convey thoſe ſpecial and diſtinct that
Ideas to their Minds, which they were bee
intended to ſignify: perhaps to. ſome of | I.
them it was: but little more than the © wha
Names of Colours are to convey the ſom
Ideas to one that is blind from his Birth. ¶ whe
This. Town is a Place where there has thei!
always been a great deal of Talk of Con- I ſenk{
verſion, and ſpiritual Experiences; and Ful.
therefore People in general had before dave
form'd a Notion in their own Minds preh
_ What theſe things were; but when they into
come to be the Subjects of them them- | whic
felves, they find themſelves much con- the
founded in their Notions, and overthrown has
in many of their former Conceits. And to tl
it has been very obſervable, that Per- into
ſons of the greateſt Underſtanding, ch Tut
33% BW thñat 15
. - Converſions in New-England. 39
that had ſtudied moſt about things of
this nature, have been more confounded
than others. Some ſuch Perſons that have
lately been converted, declare that all
their former Wiſdom 1s brought to nought,
and that they appear to have been meer
Babes, who knew nothing. It has appear'd
that none have ſtood more in need of
Enlightning and Inſtruction even of their
Fellow-Chriſt ians, concerning their own
Circumſtances and Difficulties than they:
and it has ſeem'd to have been wi HY
delight, that they have ſeen themſelves
thus brought down and become nothing,
that free Grace, and divine Fower _ x
be exalted in them.
It was very wonderful to be Aber
Wool manner Perſons. Affections were
ſometimes moved - and - wrought - upon,
when God did as it were, ſuddenly apen
their Eyes and let into their Minds, a.
7 the Greatneſs of his Grace, and |
Fulneſs of Chriſt, and his readineſs to
ſenſe 0
gave, who before were broken with Ap-
prehenſions of divine Wrath, and ſunk
imo an Abyſs under a ſenſe of Guilt,
which they were ready to think was beyond
the Mercy of God: their joyful Surprize
has cauſed their Hearts as it were to leap,
a
into Laughter; Tears oſten 5 a. the ſame time
_ like-a E. ood, and ——
$21 ; ou
80 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
loud Weeping : and ſometimes they han't
been able to forbear crying out with a
loud Voice, expreſliflg their great Ad-
miration- In ſome even the View of the
Glory of God's Sovereignty in the Exerci-
ſes of his Grace has ſurprized the Soul
with ſuch Sweetneſs, as to- produce the
ſame Effects. I remember an Inſtance
of one, who, reading ſomething concer-
ning God's ſovereign way of ſaving Sin-
ners, as being ſelf- moved, and having no
regard to Men's own Righteouſneſs as
the Motive of his. Grace, but as mag-
nifying himſelf and abaſing Man, or to
that purpoſe, felt ſuch a ſudden Rapture
of Joy and Delight in the Conſidera-
tion of it: and yet then fuſpected him- ne
ſelf to be in a Chriſtleſs Condition, and di
had been long in great Diſtreſs for fear an
-
, TENETS IE]
that God would not have mercy on th
Many contihue a long time in a Courſe va
of gracious Exerciſes and Experiences, WI
and don't think themſelves to be converted, || no
but conclude ' themſelves: to be otherwiſe; for
and none knows how long they would con- the
tinue ſo, were they not helped by particular tar
Inſtruction. There are undoubted Inſtances of
of ſome that have lived in this way for the
many Years together; and a continuing in a
theſe Circumſtances of being converted by
and not believing it, has had various con- tice
„%% & ᷣAP * 2
© Converſions in New- England. 61: J
ſequences, with various Perſons, and with |
the ſame Perſons, at various Times; ſome
„continue in. great Encouragement and
— Hope, that they ſhall obtain Mercy,
in a ſtedfaſt Reſolution to perſevere in
ſeeking it, and in an humble waiting for
it at God's foot; but very often when
e the lively Senſe of the Sufficiency of
| Chriſt, and the Riches of: divine Grace
begins to vaniſh, upon a withdraw of the
0 Influences of the Spirit of God, they re-
8 turn to greater Diſtreſs than ever; for |
1 they have now a far greater Senſe of the 1
0 Miſery of a natural Condition than before, 5
e | being in a new manner ſenſible of the 4
> reality of eternal Things, and the great- 4
- | neſs of God, and his Excellency, ow
d dreadful it is to be ſeparated from him,
ty and to be ſubjecb to his Wrath 3 ſo that
n they are ſometimes ſwallowed up with
| Darkneſs and Amazement. Satan has a
e | vaſt Advantage in ſuch Caſes to ply them
" q » 30 of £7 + ET - oY * 25 4 * * 7
-— - Fs Sos ACS. r ts” 2 8
KK Tr 2D IPLLAGE SIE. # *
A with various Temptations,. which he is
l, not wont to neglect. In ſuch a caſe Per-
>; ſons do very much need a Guide to lead
them to an Underſtanding of what we are
Ty taught in the Word of God of the Nature 5
s of Grace, and to help them to apply it to j
Jy themſelves. Þ e ;
n I have been much blamed and cenſured Y
d by many, that I ſhould make it my Prac- 9
= | tice, when J have been ſatisfied concern» 5
* * n
. LA
5 LE | | ing.
* — — . 7˖—«˙²ꝛ Apo
62 ANarrative of late furprizing
ing Perſons good Eſtate, to ſignify it to
them: Which Thing has been greatly
miſrepreſented abroad, as innumerable
other Things concerning us, to prejudice
the Country: :againſt the whole: Affair.
But let it be noted, that what I have under-
taken to judge of, has rather been Quali-
fications, and declared Experiences, than
Perſons: Not but that I have thought it
my Duty as a Paſtor . to aſſiſt and inſtruct
Perſons in applying Scripture-Rules and
Characters to their own Caſe, (in doing
of which, I thick many greatly need a
Guide ;) and have, where I thought the
| Caſe plain, uſed Freedom in ſignifying my
Hope of them, to others : but have been
far from doing this concerning all that I
have had ſome hopes of; and I believe
have uſed much more Caution than many
have ſuppoſed. Yet I ſhould account it a
great Calamity to be deprived of the Com-
fort of Rejoicing with thoſe of my Flock,
that have been in great Diſtreſs, whoſe
Circumſtances: I have been acquainted
with, when there ſeems to: be good Evi
Fence that thoſe that were dead are alive;
and thoſe that were loft are found. I am
denſible the Practice would have been —
in the hands of Kong of a riper Judgmen
and greater Experience; — dere
has ſcemed to be an abſolute Neceſſity 'of
it on che fore mentioned Accounts and
*
W
tafaction and Increaſe,
Converſions in New-England, 63
it has been found to be that which God
has moſt remarkably owned and bleſſed a-
and others.
mongſt us, both to the 2 themſelves,
Grace in many Perſons, through this
Ignorance of their State, and their look-
ing on themſclves ſtill as the Objects of
God's Diſpleaſure, has been like the Trees
in Winter, or like Seed in the Spring ſup-
preſſed under a hard Clod of Earth; and
many in ſuch Caſes have laboured to their
utmoſt to divert their Minds from the
pleaſing and joyful Views they have had,
and to ſuppreſs thoſe Conſolations and gra-
cious AF
And when it has once come into their
Minds to enquire whether or no this was
not true Grace, they: have been much a-
fraid leſt they . ſhould be deceiv'd with
common Illuminations and Flaſhes of Af-
ections that aroſe thereupon.
fection, and eternally undone with a falſe
Hope. But when they have been better
| inſtructed, and ſo brought to allow of
Hope, this has awaken'd the gracious
Diſpoſition of their Hearts into Life and
Vigor, as the warm Beams of. the Sun in
the Spring, have quickned the Seeds and
Productions of the Earth: Grace being
now at liberty, and cheriſhed with Hope,
has ſoon flowed out to their abundant Sa-
There
64 A Narrative ꝙ late. ſurprixing
There is no one thing that I know of
that God has made ſuch: a means of pro-
moting his Work amongſt us, as the
News of others Converſion; in the a-
wakening Sinners, and engaging them
_ earneſtly to ſeek the ſame Bleſſing, and
in the quickening of Saints. Tho' I have
thought that a Miniſter's declaring his
Judgment about particular Perſons Ex-
periences might from theſe Things be
juſtified, yet I am often ſignifying to my
People how unable Man is to know ano-
ther's Heart, and how unſafe it is depend-
ing meerly on the Judgment of Miniſters,
or others, and have abundantly inſiſted
on it with them that a manifeſtation of
Sincerity in Fruits brought forth, is better
than any Manifeſtation they can make of
it in Words alone, can be; and that with-
out this, all Pretences to ſpiritual Expe-
riences are vain; as all my Congregation
can witneſs, And the People in general,
in this late extraordinary Time, have ma-
nifeſted an extraordinary Dread of being
deceiv'd, being exceeding fearful left
they ſhould build wrong, and ſome of
them backward to receive Hope, even to
a great Extreme, which has occaſion'd me
to dwell longer on this part of the Narra-
ET OT | my
| Converſion is a great and glorious Work:
of God's Power, at once changing the
Heart,
4
Converſions i n New-England. 65
Hleaft, and infuſing Life into the dead
Soul; tho? that Grace that is then im-
planted does more gradually diſplay. it
ſelf in ſome than in others. But as to-fix-
ing on the preciſe Time when they put
forth the very firſt Act of Grace, there is
a great deal of difference in different Per-
ſons in ſome it ſeems to be very diſcern-
able when the very Time of this was;
but others are more at a loſs. In his
reſpect there are very many that don't
know the Time, (as has been already ob-
ſerved) that when they have the firſt Ex-
erciſes of Grace, don't know that it is
the Grace of Converſion, and ſometimes
don't think it to be ſo till a Jong time af.
ter: And many, even when they come to
entertain great Hope that they are convert-
ed, if they remember; what they expe-
rienced in the firſt Exerciſes of Grace,
they are at a loſs whether it was any more
than a common Illumination ; or whether
ſome other, more clear and remarkable
Experience, that they had afterwards,
was not the firſt that was of a ſaving na-
ture. And the manner of God's Work on
the Soul 1s (ſometimes eſpecially) very
_ myſterious, and *tis with the Kingdom of
God as to its Manifeſtation in the Heart
of a Convert, as is ſaid, Mark iv. 26, 27,
42 So is the Kingdom of God, as if a
Man ſpould caſt Seed into the Ground, and
985 ſhould
66 A Narrative of late "forpriving |
could Jeep, and riſe, Night and Day, and
the Seed ſhould ſpring, and grow, up, be
- knoweth not how ; for the Earth, bringeth
forth of her ſelf, firſ# the Blade, then the
Ear, then the full Corn in the Ear,
In ſome, converting Light is like a glo-
rious Brightneſs ſuddenly ſhining. in upon
a Perſon, and all around him: They : are
in a remarkable manner brought out of
Darineſs into marvellous Light. In many
- others it has been like the dawning of the
Day, when at firſt but a little Light ap-
pears, and it may be is preſently hid with
2 Cloud; and then it appears again, and
ſhines a little brighter, and ly in-
creaſes, with intervening Darkneſs till at
length, perhaps, it breaks forth more
clearly from behind the Clouds. And
many 5 doubtleſs, ready to date their
«Converſion wrong, throwing by thoſe leſ-
ſer Degrees of Light that appeared at firſt
dawning, and calling ſome more remark-
able Experience, that they had afterwards,
their Converſions which often 1 in great
" meaſure ariſes from a wrong 1
ing of what they have 15 $ been taugh
_ that Converſion is a great Change, 7 25
in old Things are done away, and all Things
become new, or at leaſt: from a fal. e arguing
from that Doctrine.
Perſons commonly at firſt Converſio jon,
and' afterwards, have had many *
0
Converſions in New-England, 67
of Scripture brought to their Minds, that
are ein ſuitable to their Circum-
ſtances, which often come with great
Power, and as the Word of God or Chriſt
indeed; and many have a multitude of
ſweet Invitations, Promiſes, and Doxolo-
gies flowing in one after another, bring- .
ing great Light and Comfort with them,
filling the Soul brim-full,: enlarging the
Heart, and opening the: Mouth in Reli-
gion. And it ſeems to me neceſſary to
ſuppoſe, that there is an immediate In-
fluence of the Spirit of God, oftentimes in
bringing Texts of Scripture to the Mind:
Not that I ſuppoſe *tis done in a way of
immediate Revelation, without any man-
ner of uſe of the Memory; but yet there
ſeems plainly to be an immediate and ex-
traordinary Influence, . in leading their
Thoughts to ſuch and ſuch Paſſages of
Scripture, and exciting them in the Me-
mory. Indeed in ſome God feems to bring
Texts of Scripture to their Minds no-other-
wiſe than by leading them into fuch,
Frames and Meditations, as harmo-
nize with thoſe Scriptures; but in many
Perſons there ſeems to be ſomething more
than this.
Thoſe that, while under legal Convic-
tions, have had the greateſt Terrors, have
not al yays obtain'd the greateſt Light and
Comfort; nor have they always Light
1 moſt
68 A Narrative of late frrprizing
moſt ſuddenly communicated ; but yet,
1 think, the time of Converſion has gene.
rally been moſt ſenſible in ſuch Perſons,
Oftentimes,. the firſt ſenſible Change after
the Extremity of Terrours, is a Calmneſs,
and then the Light gradually comes in;
mall Glimpſes at firſt, after their mid-
night Darkneſs, and @ word or two of
Comfort, as it were ſoftly ſpoken to 'em;
they have a /i///: Taſte of the Sweetneſs of
divine Grace, and the Love of à Saviour,
when Terrour and Diſtreſs of Conſcience
begins to be turned into an humble, meek
Senſe of their own Unworthineſs before
God; and there is felt inwardly, perhaps,
ſome Diſpoſition to praiſe God ; and after
A little while the Light comes in more
clearly and powerfully. But yet, I think
more frequently, great Terrours have been
followed with more ſudden and great
Light, and Comfort; when the Sin-
ner ſeems to be as it were ſubdued and
brought to a Calm, from a kind of Fu-
mult of Mind, then God lets in an extra-
ordinary Senſe of his great Mercy thro? a
Redeemer, Cs Os
The converting Influences of God's Spi-
rit very commonly bring an extraordi-
nary Conviction of the agar
tainty of the great Things of
(ltho' in ſome this is much greater, ſome
time after Converſion,. than at firſt :) they
ST 5 NS have
and Cer-
Religion;
have
or di
Thin;
convi
lumes
to me
when
the T
be fort
time
the I
as far
as the
be a 8
midſt
ſtrong
Objec
man
eh
would
munic
the E
b oth
e tru
isfied,
'em, t
Iwer 1
and 1
Vork
ity in
Som
of the
Corverſo ons in New-England. 69
have that fight and taſte of the Divinity,
or divine Excellency, that there is in the
Things of the Goſpel, that is more to
convince them, than reading many Vo-
lumes of Arguments without it. It ſeems
to me that in many Inſtances 2 us,
when the divine Excellency and Glory of
the Things of Chriſtianity have been ſet
before Perſons, and they have at the ſame
time as it were teen, and taſted, and felt
the Divinity of them, they have been
as far from doubting of the Truth of them,
as they are from doubting whether there
be a Sun, when their Eyes are open in the
midſt of a cl-ar Hemiſphere, and the
ſtrong Blaze of his Light overcomes all
Obje&ions againſt his Being, And yet
many of them, it we ſhould aſk them why
they believed thoſe Things to be true,
would not be able well to expreſs, or com-
municate a ſufficient Reaſon, to ſatisfy
the Enquirer, and perhaps would make
d other Anſwer but that they ſee em to
e true: But a Perſon might ſoon be fa-
isfied, by a particular Converſation with
em, that what they mean by ſuch an An-
[wer is, that they have intuitively beheld,
91 and immediately felt, moſt illuſtrious
© 1a orks, and powerful Evidence of Divi-
ity in them. :
Some are thus convinced of the Truth
of the Goſpel in general, and that the
4 Scriptures
>
70 A Narrative of Iate Jurprizing
Scr iptur es are the Word of God: Others
have their Minds more eſpecially fixed
on ſome particular great Doctrine of the
Voſpel, ſome particular Truths that they
are medilating on; or are in a ſpecial man-
mer convinced of the Divinity of the
Things they are reading of, in ſome por-
tion of Scripture. Some have ſuch Con-
victions in a much more remarkable man-
ner than others: And there are ſome that
never had ſuch a ſpecial Senſe of the Cer-
tainty of divine Things, impreſſed upon
them with ſuch inward Evidence and
Strength, have yet very clear Exerciſes of
Grace; i. e. of Love to God, Repentance
and Holineſs. And if they be more particu-
larly examined, they appear plainly to have
an inward firm Perſuaſion of the Reality
of divine Things, fuch as they dor?r ule
to have before their Converſion. And
thoſe that have the moſt clear Diſcoveries
of divine Truth, in the manner that has
been ſpcken of, can't have this always in
view. When the Senſe and Reliſh of the
divine Excellency of theſe Things fades,
on a withdraw of the Spirit of God, they
han't the medium of the Conviction of their
Truth at command : In a dull Frame they
can't recall the Idea, and inward Senſe
they had, perfectly to mind; Things ap-
pear very dim to what they did before:
And tho? there ſtill remains an habirual
8 KO ftrong
Converſions in New England. 71
ſtrong Perſuaſion; yet not ſo as to ex-
clude Temptations to Unbelief, and all
poſſibility ef Doubting, as before: But
then at particular Limes, by God's Help.
the fame Senſe of Things revives again, a
like Fire that lay hid in Ames.
I ſuppoſe the grounds of ſuch a Con-
viction of the Truth of divine Things to
be juſt and rational, but yet in ſome God
makes uſe of their own Reaſon much more
ſenſibly than in others. Oftentimes Per-
ſons have (ſo far as could be judged) re-
ceiv'd the firſt ſaving Conviction from rea-
ſoning, which they have heard from the Pul-
pit; and often in the courſe of Reaſoning,
which they are led into in their own Medi-
tations.
The ee are the fat har they
have heard hundreds of times; but he
Force of the Arguments, and their Convic-
tion by *em, is altogether new; they come
with a new and before unexperienced Pow-
er: Before they heard it was ſo, and they
allow'd it to be fo; but now they /ee it to
be ſo indeed, Things now look exceeding.
plain to *em, and they wonder that they
did not ſee *em before.
They are fo greatly taken Sith their
new Diſcovery, and Things appear, ſo
plain, and ſo rational to 'em, that they
are often at firſt ready to think they can
convince others; and are apt to engage
in talk with every one e they meet with,
alm.
— ne, $4 IOWA; 0 a WOE >
— + — oo - _ —_— * 2 8 0 * Ry 1 + * 4 4 22 e —
72 A Narrative ꝙ late ſurprizing
.almoſt to this End; and when they are
diſappointed, are ready. to wonder that
their Reaſonings ſeem to make no more
Impreſſion.
Many fall under ſuch a Miſtake as to
be ready to doubt of their good Eſtate,
| becauſe there was ſo much uſe made of their
own Reaſon in the Convictions they have
receiy*d ; they are afraid that they have
no Illumination above the natural Force
of their own Faculties: And many make
that an Objection againſt the Spirituality
of their Convictions, that *tis ſo eaſy to ſce
Things as they now ſee them. They have
often heard that Converſion is a work of
mighty Power, manifeſting to the Soul
what no Man nor Angel can give ſuch a
conviction of; but it ſeems to them that
the Things that they ſee are ſo plain, and
eaſy, and rational, that any body can ſee
them: And if they are enquired of, why
they. never ſaw ſo before; they lay, it
ſeems to them it was becauſe they never
thought of it. But very often theſe'Dit-
| ficultigs are ſoon removed by thoſe of ano-
ther nature; for when God withdraws, they
find themſelves as it were blind again,
they for the prefent loſe their realizingſ
Senſe of thoſe Things that looked ſo plain
to dem, and by all that they can do the
can't recover it, till God renews. the In
fuences of his Spirit.
Perſon
"Converſions in New-England. 73
Perſons after their Converſion oſten
ſpeak of Things of Religion as ſeeming
new to them; that Preaching is a new
thing; that it ſeems to them they never
heard Preaching before; that the Bible is
a new Book: They find there new Chap-
ters, new Plalms, new Hiſtories, becauſe
they ſee them in a new Light, Here was
a remarkable Inſtance of an aged Woman
of above 70 years, that had ſpent moſt of
her Days under Mr. Stoddard's powerful
Miniſtry; who reading in the New Teſta-
ment, concerning Cbriſt's Sufferings for
Sinners, ſeem'd to be -ſurprized and aſto-
miſhed - at what ſhe read, as at a Thi
that was real and very wonderful, but
quite new. to her, inſomuch that at firſt,
before ſhe had time to turn her Thoughts,
the wonder'd within her ſelf that ſhe had
never heard of it before; but then imme-
diately recollected her ſelf, and thought
that ſhe had often heard of it, and read it,
dergo ſuch things for Sinners, angel how
ſhe had ſpent her Time in urgratefally
ſinning againſt ſn good a God, and fuck a
Saviour; tho? - ſhe was a Perſon, as to
what was viſible, of a very blameleſs and
inoffenſive Life. And ſhe was ſo overcome
by thoſe Conſiderations, that her Natur:
5 E V3
-
*
but never till now ſaw it as a thing real;
and then caſt in her Mind, how wonderſul
this was, that the Son of God ſhould un-
* * _ LY
% 4 . p 8 r »
74 J Narrative of late ſarprixing
was ready to fail under them: Thoſe that
were about her, and knew not what was
the matter, were ſurprized, and thought
3. i:
M,any have ſpoken much of their Hearts
being drawn out in Love to God and Chriſt;
and their Minds being wrapt up in delight-
ful Contemplation of the Glory, and won-
derful Grace of God, and the Excellency,
and dying Love of Jeſus Chriſt; and of
their Souls going forth in longing Deſires
after God and Chriſt, Several of our
young Children have expreſſed much of
this; and have manifeſted a Willingneſs
to leave Father and Mother and all Things
in the World, to go to be with Chriſt. Some
| Perſons have had longing Deſires after
Cbriſt, which have riſen to that degree,
as to take away their natural Strength. 8
Some have been ſo overcome with a Senſe by
ol the dying Love of Chrif, to ſuch poor, N
- wretched, and unworthy Creatures, as to
weaken the Body. Several Perſons have
had ſo great a Senſe of the Glory of God, |
and Excellency of Chriſt, that Nature and A
Life has ſeemed almoſt to fink under it;
and in all probability, if God had ſhewed | e
them a little more of himſelf, it would! £
have diſſolved their Frame. I have ſeen 2
ſome, and been in Converſation with the
them in ſuch Frames, who have certainly
been perfectly ſober, and very 2
the Glory
Light and Joy.
e and low
No Perſons ſeem to be ſo ſenſible of their
© Converſions in New-England. 75
from any thing like enthuſiaſtick Wildneſs:
And have talk'd, when able to ſpeak, ß
of God's Perfections, and the þ
wonderfulneſs of his Grace 1 in Chriſt, and
their own Unworthineſs, in ſuch a man-
ner that can't be perfectl
them. Their Senſe
their exceeding
littleneſs and vileneſs, and their Diſpofi-
| tion to abaſe themſelves before God, has
appeared to be great in | LORA to their
us as have been
Such Perfons amon
thus diſtinguiſhed with the moſt extraor-
y the bonnet? ; and are eminent for 2
Spirit of Me
Opinion of themſelves :
need of Inſtruction, and ſo r to receive
it, as ſome of them; nor ſo ready to
think others better than | themſelves.
Thoſe a have been thought to be con-
verted amongſt us have generally mani-
feſted a longing to lie low, and in the
duſt before God; withal complaining of
their not being able to lie low
often ſpeak much of their
Senſe x Ang cellency of the way of Sal-
; vation, by ä ſovereign Grace,
through
*
A
expreſſed after
neſs, Modeſty, Self- diffi -
dinary Diſcoveries with God, have com-
monly in no wiſe appeared with the aſ- |
ſuming, and ſelf-conceited, and ſelf-ſuffi-
| —_ Airs of Enthuſiaſts ; but exceeding-
3
- BD 8-4 l 5 * wt. - . — WL; * * —
= 7 — 22 2 r n „ Sy
22 4-4 — » - ie _ 2 — — — _ at th x — — — 1 — 4
=
D
76 A Narrative. of late ſurprizing
Through the Righteouſneſs of Chryft alone;
Aid how it is with delight that they re-
nounce their own Righteouſneſs, and re-
Joice in having no Account made of it.
Many have expreſſed themſelves to this
urpoſe, that it would leſſen the Satis-
Edlen they hope for in Heaven #0
have it by their own Righteouſneſs, or
in any other way than as beſtowed by free
Grace, and for Chri/i*s ſake alone. They
ſpeak much of the Inexpreſſiblene/s of what
they experience, how their Words ſail, ſo _
that they can in no wile declare it: a
particularly ſpeak with exceeding Admi-
ration of the ſuperlative Excellency of that
-pleaſure and delight of Soul, which they
ſometimes enjoy 3 ; how a little of it is ſut-
ficient to pay em for all the Pains and
Trouble they have gone through in ſeek-
ing Salvation; and how far it "exceeds all
Things appear to em.
Many, while their Minds have been
fill'd with ſpiritual Delights, have as it
were forgot their Food; their bodily Ap-
etite has fail'd, while their Minds have
en. enteetnin'd with Meat to eat that
others knew not of. The Light and Com-
fort which ſome pf them enjoy, gives a
0 1
# »
earthly Pleaſures : And ſome expreſs much
of the Senſe which theſe ſpiritual Views
give *em of the Vanity of earthly Enjoy-
ments, how mean and worthleſs all theſe
new
4
.
©
| Converſions in New-England. 77
new reliſh to their common Bleſſings; and
cauſes all Things about 'em to appear as it
were beautiful, ſweet and pleaſant to them:
AUT nA abroad, theSun, Moon and Stare, .
the Clouds andSky,the Heavens and Earth,
appear as it were with a Caſt of divine
Glory and Sweetneſs upon them. The
ſweeteſt Joy that theſe goodPeople amongſt
us expreſs, tho? it include in it a delighttul
Sente of the Safety of their own State, and
that now they are out of danger of Hell;
yet frequently, in times of their higheſt :
ſpiritual Entertainment, this ſeems not to
be the chief Object of their fixed Thought
and Meditation. The ſux reme Attention
of their Minds is to the glorious Excellen-
_ cies of God and Chrift, which they have
in view; not but that there is very often a
raviſhing Senſe. of God's Love accompany +
ing a Senſe of his Excellency, and they re-
]joice in a Senſe of the Faithful
Promiſes, as they reſpect the future eter-
nal Enjeyment of God.
Ineſs of God's
The Joy that many of them ſpeak of
is that, to which none is to be parallel'd;
is that which they find when they are
loweſt in the Daſt, emptied moſt of them-
ſelves, and as it were annihilating them-
ſelves before God, when they are nothing,
and God is all, are ſceing their own Unwor-
thineſs, depending not at all on them-
ſelves, but alone on Chriſt, and aſcribing all
Ez Glory
-
78 A Narrative of late ſurprixing
Glory to God: 'Then their Souls are moſt
in the Enjoyment of ſatisfying Reſt; ex-
cepting that, at ſuch times, they appre-
hend themſelves to be not ſufficiently ſelf-
abaſed ; for then above all times do they
long to be lower. Some ſpeak much of
the exquiſite Sweetneſs, and Reſt of Soul
that is to be found in the exerciſes of a
Spirit of Reſignation to God, and hum- -
ble Submiſſion to his Will. Many expreſs
earneſt Longings of Soul to praiſe God ;
but at the ſame time complain that they
can't praiſe. him as they wou'd do, and
they want to have others help them in
praiſing him: They want to have every
one praiſe God, and are ready to call upon
every thing to praiſe him. They expreſs
a longing Deſire to live to God's Glory,
and to do ſomething to his Honour; but
at the ſame time cry out of their Inſuffictency
and Barre nneſs, that they are poor impotent
Greatures, can do nothing of themſelves, and
. are utterly inſufficient to glorify their Crea<
ter and Redeemer. „ MI
While God was ſo remarkably preſent +2
amongſt: us by his Spirit, there was no | acg
Book fo delighted in as the Bible; eſpe- tha
cially the Book of Fſalmt, the Prophecy bee
of | [aiah, and the New Teftament. Some Sen
by reaſon of their Eſteem and Love to of (
God's Word, have at ſome times been || pur
greatly and wonderfully delighted m_ | had
55 ected 15
Converſſons in New-England. 79
ſected at the- ſight of a Bible: and ben
alſo, there was no Time ſo prized as the
Lord's-Day, and no Place in this World
ſo deſired as God's Houſe. Our Converts
then remarkably appeared united in dear
Affection to one another, and many have
_ expreſſed much of that Spirit of Love
which they felt toward all Mankind; and
particularly to thoſe that had been leaſt
friendly to them. Never, 1 believe, was
ſo much done in confeſſing Injuries, and
making up Differences as the laſt Tear,
Perſons after their own Converſion, have
commonly expreſſed an exceeding deſire
for the Converſion of others: Some have
thought that they ſhould be willing to. die
for the Converſion of any Soul, tho? of
one of the meaneſt of their Fellow-Crea-
' tures, or of their worſt Enemies; and
many have indeed been in great Diſtreſs
with Defires and Longings for it. This
Work of God had alſo a good Effect to
_ unite the People's Affections much to their
— oat; 17 ee Ts
5 There are ſome Perſons that I have been
| acquainted with, but more eſpecially two,
that belong to other Towns, that have
been ſwallowed up exceedingly with a
Senſe of the awful Greatneſs: and Majeſty
of God; and both of them told me to this
| purpoſe, that if they in the time of it,
had had the leaſt _ that they were-not
4
>
N
4
80 A Narrative of late furprizing
at peace with this ſo great a God, they a
ſhonld inſtantly have died. :
It is worthy to be remarked, that ſome | 4
Perſons by their Converſion ſeem to be |
greatly helped as to their doctrinal Ng- | Þ
tions of Religion; it was particularly re- ty
| markable in one, who having been taken th
F _ captive in his Childhood, was train'd up i
. in Canada, in the Popiſh Religion; and b
; fome Years ſince returned to this his native Ih
5 | , "Wi
; Place, and was in a meaſure brought off C2
| from Popery; but feem'd very awkward 5
and dull of receiving any true and clear Ty
1 Notion of the Proteſtant Scheme, till _
he was converted ; and then he was re- *
markably altered in this reſpect. 4 .
Wr.
here is a vaſt difference, as has been
obſerv'd, in the Degree, and alſo in the I 60
. of Perſons Experiences, 8.
both at, and after Converſion; ſome have hir
Grace working more ſenſibly in one way, Me
others in another. Some ſpeak more ful- >
ly of a Conviction of the Juſtice of God || 4
in their Condemnation; others more of :
their conſenting to the way of Salvation b7
. Chrift, ſome more of the Actings of Love 4.
to God and Chrift: Some more of Acts of CH |
Affiance, in a ſweet and aſſured Convic- 5
tion of the Truth and Faithfulneſs of God 48
in his Promiſes ; others more of their cf 15
chooſing and reſting in God as their Whole 0
and everlaſting Portion, and of weis as.
= ; l
1 7 . —_ he » Ws o — \ N - \
ot P It doe wen. -
"= _ * — 22 * ＋ , | Fey
* * K m p be.
n = 22 » s <4 — 2 —— — m — _ — .
_ 3 * : we oy — — 2 —
. *
— crea II
"24 3 os
Converſions in New-England, 81
dent and longing Deſires after God, to
have Communion with him ; others more
of their abhorrence of themſelves for their
paſt Sins, and earneſt Longings to live to
Gog's Glory for the time to come: Some
have their Minds fixed more on God; o-
thers on-Chrift, as J have obſerved before,
and am afraid of too much Repetition;
but 1t ſeems evidently to be the ſame Work,
the ſame Thins done, the ſame habitual
Change wrought in the Heart; it all tends
the fame way, and to the ſame End; and.”
*tis plainly the ſame Spirit that breathgs
and acts in various Perſons, There is an,
endleſs Yariety in the particular manner
and circumſtances in which Perſons are
wrought on, and an opportunity of ſeeing
fo much of ſuch a Work of God, will
ſhew that God is further from confining,
himſelf to certain Steps, and a particular
Method, in his Work on Souls, than it
may be ſome do imagine. I believe it has
occaſion'd ſome good People amongſt us,
that: were before too ready to make their
own Experiences a Rule to others, to be
leſs cenſorious and more extended in their
Charity, and this is an excellent Advan-
tage indeed. The Work of God has been
glorious in its: Variety, it has the more
diſplayed the manifoldneſs and unſearch-
ableneſs of the Wiſdom of God, and
wrought more Charity among his People,
. E5 There
| ge A Narrative of late furprizing
| There is a great Difference among thoſe || Ce
that are converted as to the Degree of Hope bo
and Satisfaftion that they have concerning ha
their own State. Some have a high de- in
gree of Satisfaction in this Matter almoſt to
conſtantly: And yet it is rare that any do the
enjoy ſo full an Aſſurance of their Intereſt || Liv
in Cbriſt, that Self- Examination ſhould F wit
ſeem needleſs to them; unleſs it be at par- ere
ticular Seaſons, while in the actual enjoy- wil
ment of ſome great Diſcovery, that God buſ
gives of his Glory, and rich Grace in || rea:
Chriſt, to the drawing forth of extraordi- are
nary Acts of Grace, But the greater part, rup
as they ſometimes fall into dead Frames of ther
Spirit, are frequently exerciſed with Scru- the)
ples and Fears concerning their Condition,
They generally have an awful Appre- in t.
henſion of the Dreadfulneſs and undoing ſhip
Nature of a falſe Hope; and there has then
been obſervable in moſt a great Caution, find
leſt 1 in giving an account ef their Expe- hic
riences, they ſhould ſay too much, and caſio
uſe too ſtrong Terms: And many after they wor
have related their Experiences, have been and
greatly afflicted with Fears, leſt they have || {twri
play'd the Hypocrite, and uſed ſtronger || towa,
Terms than their Caſe would fairly allow them
of; and yet could not find how they ling
N could correct themſelves. with
I think that the main ground of the . ready
Doubts and Fears chat Ferſons, after or ;
i on-
ll 3 — a = | n
e e
— — . = mo on i — 4 — _ we 4 ;
—— 22
— - * i
I HE
Coroerfions in New-E * 84
Converſion, have been exerciſed with a-
bout their own State, has been that they
| have found ſo much Corruption remaining
in their Hearts. At firſt their Souls ſee
to be all alive, their Hearts are fixed, a
their Affections flowing; they ſeem. to
live quite above the World, and meet
with but little Difficulty in religious: Ex-
erciſes; and they are ready to think it
will always be ſo: Tho” they are truly a-
buſed under a Senſe of ach Vileneſs by
reaſon of former Acts of Sin, yet they
are not then ſufficiently ſenſible what Cor-
ruption ſtill remains in their f and
therefore are ſurprized when they find that,
they begin to be in dull and pov Frames,
to be troubled with wandering Thoughts
in the time of publick and private Wor-
ſhip, and to be utterly. unable to. keep;
themſelves from 'em; . alſo when they;
find themſelves unaffected at Seafons,;in
which, they think, there is the greateſt Oc
caſion to be affected; and = they feel
worldly , Diſpoſitions working in them,
and it may be Pride, and Enyy, and,
ſtirrings of Revenge, or ſome 4 Shiri
| towards ſome Perſon, ps = injured;
them, as well as other workings of indwel-..
ling Sin: Their Hearts are almoſt ſunk
with the Diſappointment; ON they are
n ran, 0 How en e .
{| VE -
# „
11444
84 4 Narrative of late ſurprixing
have met with is nothing, and that they,
are meer Hypocrites.
They are ready to argue, that if God had
reat Things for them,
as they hoped, ſuch Ingratitude would be
iconfifient with it: They cry out of the
| hardneſs and wickedneſs of their Hearts;
and ſay there is ſo much Corruption, that
it ſeems to them impoſſible that there ſhould be
any Goodneſs there: and many of them ſeem
to be much more ſenſible how corrupt
;4 dard! done ſuch
their Hearts are, than ever they were before
were converted; and ſome have been
too ready to be impreſsd with Fear, that
inſtead of becoming better, they are grown
much worſe, and make it an Argument
againſt the Goodneſs of their State. But
in truth, the Cafe ſeems plainly to be,
that now they feel the pain of their own
Wound; they have a watchful Eye upon
their Hearts, that they don't uſe to have:
Fhey take more notice what Sin is there,
and Sin is now more burdenſome to 'em,
they ſtrive more againſt it, and feel more
of the Strength of lt. 1
They are ſomewhat urg Mad has! why
ſhould 'in this reſpect find themſelves ſo
different from the Idea that they generally
had entertained! of godly Perſons ; for
tho“ Grace he indeed of a fas more excel.
lent nature than chey imagin'd ; yet thoſe -
that are godly have much leſs of it, and
much
as long
Cemverficus in New-England. 85
much more remaining Corruption, than
they thought. They never realized it,
that Perſons were wont to meet with
ſuch Difficulties, after they were once con-
verted. When they are thus exerciſed
with Doubts about their State, through.
the Deadneſs of their Frames of Spirit,
as theſe Frames laſt, they are
commonly unable to ſatisfy: themſelves
of the Truth of their Grace, by all their
Self- examination. When they hear of
the Signs of Grace laid down for 'em
to try themſelves by, they are often ſo
clouded, that they don't know how to
apply them: they hardly know whether
they have ſuch and ſuch things in them
or nd and whether they have experienced
them or not: That which was ſweeteſt,
and beſt and moſt diſtinguiſhing in their
Experiences, they can't recover a ſenſe
or Idea of. But on a Return of the
Influences of the Spirit of God, to re-
vive the lively Actings of Grace, the
Light breaks through the Cloud, and
Doubting and Darkneſs ſoon vaniſh' a-
with! wad roo)
"oPerfons are often revived out of their-
dead and dark Frames; by religious Con-
verſation : while they are talking of
divine things, or ever they are aware,
their Souls are carried away into holy
Exerciſes with+ abundant- Pleaſure. « And
OS often-
* — — e
96 4 Narrative of late furprizing
oftentimes, while they are relating their
r 1 — E363 a = - V
rr... — 2 © -— > $444” 4: 4s
© * * 3 Sh. - <- Sg 00 2 *
periences to their Chriſtian Bre-
thren, they have a freſh ſenſe. of them
revived, and the ſame Experiences in a
Degree again renewed. Sometimes while
Perſons are. exerciſed. in Mind with ſe-
veral Objections againſt the Goodneſs of
their State, they have Scriptures, one
after another, coming to their Minds,
to anſwer their Scruples and unravel
their Difficulties, exceeding appoſite and
proper to their Circumſtances; by which
means their Darkneſs is ſcattered ; and often
before the Beſtowment of any newremarka-
ble Comforts, eſpecially after long continued
Deadneſs and ill Frames, there are re-
newed Humblings, in a great ſenſe of
their own exceeding Vileneſs and Un-
worthineſs, as before their firſt Comforts
were beſtowed. _ V
Many in the Country have entertain'd
a mean Thought of this great Work that
there has been amongſt us, from what
they have heard of Impreſſions that have
been made on Perſons Imaginations, But
there have been exceeding great Miſre-
preſentations, and innumerable falſe Ne-
ports concerning that Matter. Tis not,
that I know of, the Profeſſion or Opi-
nion of any one Perſon in the Town, that
any weight is to be laid on any thing
ſeen with the bodily Eyes: I know the
Con-
Comverſions in New- England. 87
contrary to be à receiv'd and eſta-
bliſhed Principle amongft us. I cannot
ſay that there have been no Inſtances
of Perſons - that have. been ready to give
too much heed to vain and uſeleſs 52.
ginations ; but they have been eaſily
corrected, and I conclude it will not
be wondered at, that a Congregati-
on ſhou'd need a Guide in ſuch Caſes,
to aſſiſt them in diſtinguiſhing Vbeat
from Chaff. But ſuch Impreſſions on the
Imagination as have been more ufual, ſeem _
to me, to be plainly no other, than what
is to be expected in human Nature in ſuch
Circumſtances, and what is the natural
Reſult of the ſtrong Exerciſe of the
Mind, and Impreſſions on the Heart.
I do not ſuppoſe that they themſelves
imagined that they ſaw any thing with
their bodily Eyes; but only have had
within them Ideas ſtrongly impreſs'd, and:
as it were, lively Pictures in their
Minds: As for inſtance, ſome when in
great Terrours, through fear of Hell,
have bad lively Ideas of a dreadful F ur-
nace. Some, when their Hearts have
been ſtrongly impreſs? d, and their Affecti-
ons greatly moved with a ſenſe of the Beauty
and Excellency of Cbriſt, it has wrought
on their Imaginations ſo, that together
with a ſenſe of his glorious ſpiritual Per-
fections, there has ariſen in the Mind :
an
— 1 "a .
a. =
EI
F 4 "_ p4 + mY
.
r - Cr,
_— ODT
„ — *
n
r
a7 4 + - 6
: TT” n
— — rern,
88 4 Narrative g late furprizing
an Idea of one of glorious Majeſty,. and
of a {ſweet and a gracious Afffpett:
So. ſome, when they have been greatly
affected with Chriſt's Death, have at the
ſame time a lively Idea of brit W
. 9 the Croſs, and of his Blood run-
from his Wounds ; which things
bias. be wondred at. by them that have
obſerved how. {fron Affections about tem-
poral' Matters will excite lively Ideas
and Pictures of different things in the Mind.
But yet the vigorous Exerciſe of
the Mind, does doubtleſs more ſtrong-
ly impreſs | it with imaginary Ideas, in
ome than others, which probably may
ariſe from the difference of Conſtitution,
and ſeems evidently in ſome, partly to
ariſe from their peculiar Circumſtances:
When Perſons have been exerciſed with
extreme Terrours, and there is a ſudden
change to Light and Joy, the Imagina-
tion ſeems more ſuſe ceptive of ſtrong L.
gras, and the inferior Powers, and even
the Frame of the Body, is much more
affected and wrought upon, than when
the ſame Perſons have as great ſpiri-
tual” Light and Joy afterwards ;- ; of which
It might, perhaps, be eaſy to give a Rea-
ſon. The forementioned Rev“. Meſſ.
Lord and Owen, who, I believe, are e-
ſteem'd Perſons of 1 and Diſ-
cretion where they are beſt
clared
nown, de-
oO v = 8 pap, ©» hn * 2 *
r
3 O'S
—
3-4-2 1 0
7
2
<
Converſious in New-England. 89
clared that they found theſe Impreſſions.
on Perſons Imaginations, quite different
things from what Fame had before re-
preſented to them, and that they were
what none need to wonder at, or be ſtum-
bled by, or to that purpoſe. |
There have indeed been ſome few In-
ſtances, of Impreſſions an Perſons Imagi-
vations, that have been ſomething myi-
terious to me, and I have been at a loſs
about them; for tho' it has been ex-
ceeding evident to me by many things
that appear'd in them, both then (when
they related them) and afterwards, that
they indeed had a great ſenſe of the ſpi-
ritual Excellency of Divine Things ac-
companying them; yet I have not been
able well to ſatisfy myſelf, whether their
imaginary Ideas have been more than
could naturally ariſe from their ſpiritual
Senſe of things. However, I have uſed
the utmoſt Caution in ſuch Caſes; great
Care has been taken both in publick
and in private to teach Perſons the dif-
ference between what is ſpiritual and what.
is merely imaginary, I have often warned
Perſons not to lay the ſtreſs of their Hope
on any Ideas of any outward Glory, or
any external thing whatſoever, and have
met with no Oppoſition in ſuch Inſtruc-
tions, But 'tis not ſtrange if ſome weak:
er Perſons, in. Siving an account of their
Experi-
„ ˙· Can SS
v kh
. 1
ITT
wa „. ; —
D 7. Le:
*
take advantage of.
Reports; and came here, once and again,
* * — i, 4 »
2 „4
„ 2 „„ —
wma +=
. Ty - . = &
as AS: a + 8 "a
which was altogether a falſe Report: In-
WW
_ lated, the Minds of fome- were filled with
_ Speculation, what ſo great a ron
90 A Narrative of late furprizing
Experiences, have not ſo prudently diſ-
inguiſhed between the ſpiritual and ima-
ginary Part; which ſome that have not
n well affected to Religion, might
There has been much talk in many
parts of the Country, as tho* the People have
ſymbolized with the Quakers, and the Qua-
ers themſelves have been moved with ſuch
hoping to find good Waters to fiſh in ;
but without the leaſt Succeſs, and ſeem
to be diſcouraged and have left off com-
ing. There have alſo been Reports ſpread
about the Country, as tho* the firſt Imerl
Occaſion of ſo remarkable a Concern on ure,
People's Minds here, was an Apprehen-
Gon that the World was near to an end, i
deed after this Stirring, and Concern became
ſo general and extraordinary, as has been re-
of divine Providence might forebode:
ſuence.
and ſome. Reports were heard from a- Have,
broad, as tho” certain Divines and o- Work
thers thought the Conflagration was nigh: fvith-t
but ſuch Reports were never generally hoſe
looked upon worthy of Notice.
The Work that has now been wrought ng.
on Souls is evidently the ſame that was Perſon
wrought in my venerable Predeceſſor's long
loned,
Days;
Convenſons in New-England. 91
Days 3 as I have had abundant Oppor-
unity to know, having been in the Mi-
: aiſtry here two Years with him, and
t ſo converſed with a conſiderable Num-
ber that my Grandfather thought to be
avingly converted in that time; and
e having been particularly acquainted with
Ihe Experiences of many that were con-
h Nrerted under his Miniſtry before. And
„ II know no one of them, that in the
Jeaſt doubts of its being the ſame Spi-
n it, and the ſame Work. Perſons have
1- row no otherwiſe been ſubject to Im-
d& preſſions on their Imaginations, than for /
{t Imerly: The Work is of the fame na-
dn ture, and has not been attended with a-
n- ny extraordinary Circumſtances, excep-
d, ing ſuch as are analogous. to the ex- |
n- ſtraordinary degree of it before 'defcri-
ne ed. And God's People, that were for-
re- nerly converted, have now partook of
ith he ſame Shower of divine Bleſſing, in
on the renewing, ſtrengtbening, edifying. In-
le: Nuences of the Spirit of God, that others
a- Fave, in his converting Influences; and the
o- {Work here has alſo been plainly the ſame
zh: frith that, which has been wrought in
ly hoſe of other Places that have been men-
toned, as partaking of the ſame Bleſ-
ing. I have particulary converſed with
s Perſons about their Experiences that be-
ors Yong to all parts of the Country, and
92 ANarrative of late ſurprizing
in various parts of Connecticut, where a
religious Concern has lately appear'd; and
have been inform'd of the Experiences ot
many others by their own Paſtors.
Tis eaſily perceived by the foregoing
Account that *tis very very much the
Practice of the People here, to converſe
frecly one with another of their ſpiri-
tual. Experiences; which: is a thing that
many have been diſguſted at. But however
our People may have, in ſome reſpects,
gone to extremes in it, yet cis doubtleſs,
a Practice that the Circumſtances of this
Fown, and neighbouring Towns, has
naturally led them into. Whatſoever
People are in ſuch Circumſtances, where
all have their Minds engaged to ſuch
a Degree, in the ſame Affair, that cis
ever uppermoſt in their Thoughts; they
will naturally make it the Subject of
Converſation one with another when they
get together, in which they will grow
more and more free: Reſtraints will
ſoon vaniſn; and they will not conceal
from one another what they meet with.
And it has been a Practice which, in the
general, has been attended with many
good Effects, and what God has greatly bleſ-
Jed amongſt us: But it muſt be- confeſt
there may have been ſome ill Conle-
quences of it; which yet are rather to be
laid to the indiſcreet Management | i
than
can
ſome
in cl
caſio!
ble.
greate
to gi
her E
thers
what
her 7
what
life- ti
She
Famil
Educa
ee er in e ee 93
than. to the Practice it ſelf: and none
can wonder, if among ſuch a multitude
ſome fail of exerciſing ſo much Prudence
in chooſing the time, manner, and oc-
b caſion of ſuch Diſcourſe, as 1s deſirea-
ble.
But to give a clearer Idea of the Na- .
ture and. Manner of the Operations of
God's Spirit, in this wonderful Effuſion
of it, I would give an Account of two
paiticular Inſtances, The firſt is an Adult
Perſon, a young 1 whoſe Name
15, was Abigail Hutchinſon. 257 upon. her
4. eſpecially becauſe ſhe is now dead, and fo it
muy be more fit to ſpeak freely of her than
living Inſtances : tho? I am under far
Pe Diſadvantages, on other accounts,
to give a full and clear Narrative of
her Experiences, than I might of ſome o-
thers ; nor can any Account be given but
ofhat has been retain'd in the Memories of
her near Friends, and ſome others, f
what they have heard her expreſs in her
Ilife- time.
She was of a rational underſtanding
Family : there could be nothing in her
Education that tended to Enthy/ n, but
rather to the contrary extreme. Tis in no
viſe the Temper of the Family to be
ſtentatious of Experiences, and it was
far from being her Temper. She was
before her Converſion, to the Obſerva-
tion
; 94 ANarrati | ive of late furprizing
tion of her Neighbours, of a ſober ana !Y
inoffenſive Converſation z and was a till,
quiet, reſery'd Perſon. She had long WL
been infirm of Body, but her Infirmity
had never been obſerved at all to incline} 4
her to be notional or fanciful, or to oc. 41
ceaſion any thing of religious Melancholy 4,
She was under Awakenings ſcarcely ; tuln
Week, before there ſeem'd to be plai Nat
| 1 of her being ſavingly con ver
ted. „ |
She was firſt awakened in the Win her
ter Seaſon, on Monday, by ſomething whit
| ſhe heard her Brother ſay of the Ne Cour
ceſſity of being in good earneſt in ſeeking} to t!
regenerating Grace, together with thi
News of the Converſion of the young] treſſ
Woman before mention*d, whoſe Converſ
on ſo generally affected moſt of the young p
People here. This News wrought mucl} more
upon her, and ſtirr'd up a Spirit of En fad)
vy in her towards this young Woman 7%
whom ſhe thought very unworthy of be bled
ing diſtinguiſhed from others by ſuch
Mercy; but withal it engaged her i ſbe þ
' a firm Reſolution to do her utmoſt t
obtain the ſame Bleſſing; and conſid Ve
ring with herſelf what — * ſhe ſhoulſ Her
take, ſhe thought, that ſhe had not 3
' ſufficient Knowledge of the Principles 4 chi
Religion, to render her capable of Conf Si
' verſion ; whereupon ſhe reſolved thorou ;
5
ſhe had been ſo concerned for her Body
Converſions in New-England. 95
ly to ſearch the Scriptures ; and accor-
dingly immediately began at the begin-
ning of the Bible, intending to read it
through. She continued thus till Thu t
day : and then there was a ſudden Alte-
ration, by a great Increaſe of her Concern,
in an extraordinary ſenſe of her own Sin-
tulneſs, particularly the Sinfulneſs of her
Nature, and Wickedneſs of her Heart,
which came upon her (as ſhe expreſſed
it) as a Flaſh of Lightning, and ſtruck
her into an exceeding Terrour. Upon
which ſhe left off reading the Bible in
Courſe as ſhe had begun, and turned
to the New - Teſtament, to ſee if ſhe could
not find ſome relief there for her diſ-
treſſed Soul. ; :
Her great Terrour ſhe ſaid was, that ſhe
bad ſin'd againſt God: Her Diſtreſs grew
more and more for three Days; until (as ſhe
ſaid) ſhe ſaw nothing but Blackneſs of Dark-
neſs before her, and her very Fleſh trem-
bled for fear of God's wrath: ſhe won-
dred and was aſtoniſhed at herſelf, that
and had applied ſo often to Phyſicians to
heal 8 ad neglected her Soul.
Her Sinfulneſs appeared with a very aw-
ful Aſpect to her, eſpecially in three
things, (viz.) her Original Sin, and her
Sin in murmuring at God's Providence,
in the Weakneſs and Afflictions ſhe had
been
96 A Narrative of late firprieimg
been under, and in want of Duty to W
Parents, tho? others had look*d upon her a0
to excel in Dutifulneſs. On Saturday, ſhe WI
was ſo earneſtly engaged in reading the ſhe
Bible and other Books, that ſhe continu-
5
ed in it, ſearching for ſomething to re- de
lieve her, till her Eyes were ſo dim, ſhe
that ſhe could not A the Letters. del
Whilſt ſhe was thus engaged in Reading, be
Prayer, and other religious Exerciſes, ſhe alo
thought of thoſe Words of Chriſt, where. 12
in he warns us not to be as the Heo- Fri
then, that think they ſtall be heard for |. to!
beir much ſpeating; which, ſhe ſaid, led ryc
her to ſee that ſhe had truſted to her $1
- own. Prayers and religious Performances, I tha
and now ſhe was put to a nonplus, and Mi
knew not which way to turn herſelf, or As
where to ſeck Relief. b-fc
While her Mind was in this 8 the]
her Heart, ſhe ſaid, ſeem'd to fly to whi
the Miniſter for Refuge, hoping that he befc
could give her ſome Relief. She came ag]
the ſame Day to her Brother, with the Lor.
.'Countenance of a Perſon in diſtreſs, ex- 1M,
poſtulating. with him, why he had not cam
told her more of her Sinfulneſs, and ſes: ;
- earneſtly enquiring of him what ſhe ſhoull with
do. -She ſeem'd that Day to feel in herſelf and
zan Enmity againſt the Bible, which greatly of tl
. affrighted her. Her ſenſe of her own ex- that
| cerdug Sinfulneſs continued increaſing from be |
$1999] MOM Oe "_— |
4 |
EX-
not
"Dots ons in Neu. England 97
Thurſlay till Monday: ; and ſhe gave this
account of it, that it had been an Opinion,
which till now ſhe had entertain'd, that
ſhe was not guilty of Adam's Sin, nor a-
ny way concerned in it, becauſe the was
not active in it; but that now ſhe ſaw
ſhe was guilty of that Sin, and all over
defiled by it; and that the Sin which ſhe.
brought into the World with her, was
alone ſufficient to condemn her.
On the Sat- day ſhewas ſo il] FRG
F riends thought itnot beſt that ſhe ſhould g0
to publick Worſhip, of which ſhe ſeem'd ve-
ry deſirous: But when ſhe went to Bedon the
Sabbat h-day Night, ſhe took up a Reſolution
thar ſhe would the next Morning go to the
Miniſter, hoping to find ſome Relief there.
As ſhe awaked on Monday Morning, a little
before day, ſhe wondered within herſelf at
the Eaſineſs and Calmneſs the felt in her Mind,
which was of that k ind which ſhe never felt
before; a8 ſhe thought of this, ſuch Words
as theſe were in her Mind; The Words of the
Lord are pure Words, He alth tothe Soul, and
Marrow to tbe Bones: And then theſs Words
came to her Mind, the Blob d of Chriſt clean
and Þ ſes: from all Sin; which were accompanied
|
JUG
with a lively tenle of the Excellency of Chrift,
and his Sufficiency to ſatisfy for the Sins
of the whole World. She. then thought of
that Expreſſion, lis 0 pleaſant. thing Fr
the Hes to behold the Sun , which Words
F den
98 4 Narrative of late furprizing
then ſeem'd to her to be very applica-
ble to Feſus Cbriſt. By theſe things her
Mind was led into ſuch Contemplations
and Views of Chrjft, as filPd her exceed -
ing full of Joy. She told her Brother
in the Morning that ſhe had ſeen (i. e. in re-
alizing Views by Faith) Chriſt the laſt Night,
and that ſhe had really thought that ſhe
had not Knowledge enough to be converted;
but, ſays ſhe, God can make it quite eaſy!
On Monday ſhe felt all day a conſtant
Sweetheſs in her Soul. She had a Repetition
of the ſame Diſcoverys of Chr three Mor-
nings together, that ſhe had on Monday
Morning, and much in the ſame manner,
at each time, waking a little before day; ;
but brighter and brighter every time.
At the laſt time on Yedneſday Morning,
while in the Enjoyment of a ſpiritual
View of Cbriſt's Glory and Fulneſs, her
Soul was filled with Diſtreſs for Chriſtleſs
Perſons, to conſider what a miſerable
Condition they were in: and ſhe felt in
herſelf a ſtrong Inclination immediately
to go forth to warn Sinners; and propoſed
it the next to her Brorher to aſſiſt
her in going * a houſe to houſe -; but
her Brother reſtrain'd her, by telling her
of the unſuitableneſs of ſuch a Method.
She told one of her Sifters that Day,
that ſhe loved all Mankind, but eſpecially
. the People of God, Her Siſter aſked -i
why
_ Converſions in New:Roglund, 99
Why ſhe loved all Mankind? She reply'd
Vbecauſe Cod had made them. After this,
there happen'd to come into the Shop
where ſhe was at work, three Perſons
that were thought to have been lately
converted; her ſeeing them as they ſtep'd
in one akier another into the Door, ſo
affected her, and ſo drew forth her love to
them, that it overcame her, and ſhe al-
moſt fainted: And when they began to
talk of the things of Religion, it was
more than ſhe could bear; they were ob-
liged to ceaſe on that account. It was
a very frequent thing with her to be
overcome with a flow of Affection to
them that ſhe thought Godly, in Con-
verſation with them, and ſometimes on-
ly at the Sight of them.
She had many extraordinary Difcers-
Ties, of the Glory of God and: Chriſt ;
ſometimes, in ſome particular Attributes,
and ſometimes in many. She gave an
Account, that once, as thoſe four Words
paſſed thro' her Mind, WIS DOM,
FUSTYCE, GCOODNESS, and
TRUTH, her Soul was filid- with. a
ſenſe of the Glory of each of theſe di-
vine Attributes, <3 eſpecially the laſt;
Truth, ſaid ſhe, ſunk the deepeſt! And
therefore as theſe Words -paſs'd, this was
args RUTH, TRUTH Her
1
ind was 2 el up with a ſenſe
<4 2 of
100 A Narrative of late jurpricing
of the Glory of God's Truth and other
Perſections, 8 ſhe ſaid, it ſeed as
tl her Life was going, and that ſhe
tt was eaſy with God to take away |
ab Life by Diſcoveries - of himſelf. Soon .
after this ſhe went to a private religi- ;
ous Meeting, and her Mind was full 'of =
a Senſe and Vicw of the Glory of God 1
all the Time; and when the Exerciſe 5
was ended, ſome afked her concerning a
what ſhe had experienced: and ſhe be- h
gan -to give them an Account ; but as fa
the was relating it, it revived ſuch a —
Senſe of the ſame Things, that her Strength an
faibd; and they were oblig'd to take | ne
her, and lay her upon the Bed. After- Ing
wards ſhe was greatly affected, and re- ſuc
Joiced with theſe Words, Werthy is the hat
Lamb that was ain. CE;
She had ſeveral Days ee a ſweet but
ſenſe of the Excellency and Loveli- for
neſs of Chriſt in his Meekneſs, which | fe
diſpoſed her continually to be repeating as J
over theſe Words, which were ſweet to | wit
her, MEEK AND LOWLY IN and
HEART, MEEK AND LOWLY | rem
IN HEART. She once expreſs'd her- ſelf
' ſelf to one of her Siſters, to this pur- | was
poſe, that ſhe had continued whole Days || gre:
# and whole Nights, in a conſtant raviſhing that
View of the Glory of God and Crit, I me
having enjoy'd as me as her Life could
bear.
1141414 wo —
K
overcome her.
Converſions in New-England. 101
hear. Once as her Brother was ſpeak-
ing of the dying Love of Chrift, ſhe told
him that ſhe had ſuch a ſenſe of- 1t, that
the meer Mentioning it was ready to
o
Once, when ſhe came to me, ſhe told
how that at ſuch andſuch a time ſhe thought
ſheſawas much of God, and had as much Joy
and Pleaſure as was poſſible in this Life,
and that, yet afterwards God diſcover'd
himſelf yet. far more abundantly, and ſhe
faw the ſame things that ſhe had ſeen be-
fore, yet more clearly, and in another,
and far more excellent and delightſul man-
ner, and was filled with a more exceed-
ing Sweetneſs; ſhe likewiſe gave me
ſuch an Account of the Senſe ſhe once
had, from day to day, of the Glory of
Chriſt, and of God, in his various Attri-
butes, that it ſeem'd to me ſhe dwelt
for Days together in a kind of bea-
tific Viſion of God; and ſeem'd to have,
as I thought, as immediate an Intercourſe
with him, as a Child with a Father:
and at the ſame time, ſhe appeared molt
remote from any high Thought of her-
ſelf, and of her own Sufficiency; but
was like a /ittle Child, and expreſſed a
great Deſire to be inſtructed, telling me
that ſhe longed very often to come to
me for Inſtruction, and wanted to live
F
102 A Narrative of late furprizing
at my. Houfe, that I might tell her her
She often expreſſed a ſenſe of hi Glo
of God appearing in the Trees, and Growtt
of the Fields, and other Works of Gods
Hands. She. told her Siſter that lived
near the Heart of the Town, that ſhe
once thought it a pleaſant thing to live
in the middle of the Town, but now,
ſays ſhe, I think it much more pleaſant
to fit and fee the Wind blowing the Trees,
and to behold in the Country what God has
Powerful
on her
made, She had ſometimes the
8 of the 8 pirit of
ile Wadi the Scripture, and
had of
the certain Truth and Divinity there-
ka expreſs a ſenſe that
= She ſometimes would appear with
a pleafant Smile on her Countenance;
and once when her Sifter took no-
tice of it, and aſked why ſhe ſmiled,.
mne reply'd, I am brim-full of a feveet feel.
ing wit in! She often uſed to expreſs
wy ood and feet it was 10 lie low be-
od, and the Iewer (ſays ſhe) the bet-
105 and that it was pleaſant to think of ly-
ing in the Duſt, all the Days of her Life,
mourning for Sin. She was wont to ma-
nifeſt a great ſenſe of her own Meanneſs
and Dependance. She often expreſs'd an
_ exceeding Compaſſion, and pitiful Love,
which ſhe found in her Heart towards
Perſons
* "Aw < +
Ener e þ in New- England. 1103
Perſons in a Chriſtleſs Condition ; which
was ſometimes ſo ſtrong, that as ſhe was
paſſing by ſhch in the ſtreets, or thoſe
that fear'd were ſuch, ſhe would be o-
vercome by the Sight of them. She once
ſaid, that ſhe longed to have the whole World
ſaved, ſhe wanted, as it were, 10 pull
them all to- her; ſhe could not. bear lo
have one loſt.
She had great Longings to 15 chat ſhe
might be with Chriſt; which increaſed till
ſhe thought ſhe did not know how to be pa-
lient to wait till God's time ſhould come, But
once when ſhe felt thote Longings, ſhe
thought with herſelf, / 1 long io die, why do
Tgo to Phyſicians? Whence ſhe concluded that
her Longings for Death were not well regu-
lated. Alder this ſhe often put it to herſelf,
Which ſhe ſhould chooſe, whether to live or
to die, to be ſick, or to be well; and ſhe
found ſhe could not tell, till at laſt ſhe found
herſelf diſpoſed to ſay theſe Words; Jam quite |
willing to live, and quite willing to die; quite
willing to be ſick, and quite willing to be well ;
and quite willing for any thing that God will
bring upon me ! Aud then, ſaid the, Tfelt myſelf
Pes fectly caſy, ina full Submiſſion to the Will
of God. She then lamented much, that ſne
had been ſo eager in her Longings for Death,
as it argued want of ſuch a Reſignation to
God, as ouglu to be. She ſeem'd hencefor -
| ward to continue in this reſigned Frame till
T Death, F LO - Alter
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104 A Narrative late ſurpriging
After this her Illneſs increaſed upon
her: and once after ſhe had before ſpent the
greater Part of the Night in extreme Pain,
ſhe waked out of a little ſleep with theſe
Words in her Heart and Mouth; J am
avilling to ſuffer for Chriſi”'s ſake, I am
willing to ſpend and be ſpent for Chriſt's
fake , I am willing to ſpend my Life, even
my very Eife for Chriſt's fake ! And tho
ſhe had an extraordinary Reſignation,
with reſpe& to Life or Death, yet the
Thoughts of Dying were exceeding ſweet
to her. At a time when her Brother
was reading in Job, concerning Worms
feeding on the dead Body, ſhe appear'd
with a pleafant Smile; and being enquired
of about it, ſhe ſaid, it was ſweet to
her to think of her being in ſuch Cir-
cumſtances. At another time, when her
Brother mention'd to her the Danger there
ſeem'd to be that the Hineſs ſhe then la-
bour'd under, might be an Occaſion of her
Death, it fil'd her with Joy that al
moſt overcame her. At another time,
when ſhe met a Company following a |
_ Corpſe to the Grave, ſhe ſaid, it was ſweet
to her to think, that they would in a
little time follow her in like manner.
Her Illneſs in the latter part of it
was ſeated much in her Throat; and
. ſwelling inward, fill'd up the Pipe, ſo
that ſhe could 1ſwa!low nothing but what
TY I e,
unde
to be
ſhe {1
would
be as
10 me
were
-Converſions in New-England. 105
was perfectly liquid, and but very little
of that, and with great and long Strug-
glings and Stranglings, that which ſhe
took in, flying out at her Noſtrils, till
ſhe at laſt could ſwallow nothing at all:
She had a raging Appetite to Food, ſo
that ſhe told her Sitter, when talking
with her about her Circumſtances, that the
worſt Bit that ſhe threw- to her Swine,
would be ſweet to her: but yet when ſhe
ſaw that ſhe could not ſwallow it, ſhe
ſcem'd to be as perfectly contented with-
out it, as if ſhe had no Appetite to it,
Others were greatly moved to ſee what
the underwent, and were filPd with Ad-
=)
; liquid, and was: very much ſpent with it;
- ſhe look*d up on her Siſter with a Smile,
5 ſaying, O Sifter, this is for my Good! At a-
r nother time, when her Siſter was ſpeaking
'> | ſhe liv'd an Heaven upon Earth for all that.
a | She uſed ſometimes to ſay to her Siſter,
ot under her extreme Sufferings, I ig good
a } zo be ſo! Her Siſter once aſked her, why
| ſhe ſaid ſo, why, ſays ſhe, Becauſe God N
It |} would have it ſo: It is beſt that things ſhould W
nd ze as God would have em: It looks beſt . 8
lo 70 me. Aſter her Confinement, as they
"at were leading her from the Bed to the f
© RR Rf 1
106 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
Door, fhe ſeem'd overcome by the Sight
of things abroad, as fhewing forth the
Glory. of the Being that had made them.
As the lay on her wy In" ſhe would
often ſay theſe Words, God is my Friend!
And once looking up on her Siſter, with
a Smile, ſaid, O Siſter! How good it is!
How ſtoeet and comfortable it is to con-
Ader, and think of heavenly things! and
uſed this Argument to perſuade her Siſ-
ter to be much in ſuch Meditations.
She expreſs'd on her Death-Bed, an
Exceeding Longing, both for Perſons in a
natural State, that they might be conver-
ted, and for the Godly that they might
Jee and know more of God. And when
thoſe that looked on themſelves as in a
Chriſtlefs State came to ſte her, ſhe
would be greatly moved with compaſ-
fionate Affection. One in particular that
ſeem'd to be in great diſtreſs about the
State of her. Soul, and had come to ſee
her from time to time, ſhe deſired her
Siſter to perſuade not to come any more,
becauſe the Sight of her ſo wrought on
her Compaſſions, that it overcame her
Nature. The ſame Week that ſhe died,
when ſhe was in diſtreſſing Circumſtances
as to her Body, ſome of the Neighbours
that came to ſee her, afked if the was
willing to die? She reply'd, that ſhe
was quite willing either to live or die; fhe
1 5 0
2. 282 K
i
* Converſions in Neiv-England. 107
woas willing to be in pain; ſhe was willing
to be ſo always as ſhe was then, if that
was the Will of Cod. She willed what God
willed, They aſked her whether ſhe was
willing to die that Night? She anſwer'd,
Yes, if it be God's Will, And ſeem'd to
ſpeak all with that perfect 33 of
Spirit, and with ſuch a chearful and
ſant Countenance, that it filled them oth
Admiration,
Sne was very weak a x conſiderable time
before ſhe died, having pined away with
Famine and Thirſt, ſo that her Fleſh
ſeem'd to be dried upon her Bones; and
therefore could ſay but little, and mani-
feſted her Mind very much by Signs.
She ſaid ſhe had Matter enough to £1 up all
her Time «with Taik, if ſhe had but Strength.
A few Days before her Death, ſome al-
ked her, whether ſhe held her Integrity
fill? Whether ſhe was not afraid of
Death? She anſwered to this purpoſe,
that ſhe had not the leaſt Degree of fear
of Death. They aſked her why ſhe would
be ſo confident ? She ee If T ſhould
fay otherwiſe, I ſhould [peak contrary to
what I know : there is, ſays ſhe, indeed,
a dark Entry, that looks ſomething dork,
but on the other Side there appears ſuch
a bright ſhining Light, that I cannot
be afraid | She ſaid not long before ſhe
dicd, that ſhe uſed to be afraid yy
; | | 8
: ,
5 - * ec ko "x 6 I, r r e WE — *
— .. 7 O—— — +42 * N N
E 2 N 1 : 4 a * * — Vn 2 e A &*; * I f
” 2 2 A. - . a 8 . w 4 A — | A
3
108 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
ſhe ſhould grapple with Death ; but, ſays
ſhe, God has ſhewed me that be can make
it eaſy in great Pain. Several Days be-
fore ſhe died, ſhe could ſcarcely ſay any
thing but juſt yes, and 0, to Queſtions that
were aſked her, for. ſhe ſeem'd to be
dying for three Days together; but ſeem'd
to continue in an admirable fweet Com-
poſure of Soul, without any Interuption,
to the laſt, and died as a Perſon that
went to ſleep,. without any ſtruggling,
about Noon, on Friday, Fune 27.1735.
She had long been infirm, and often
had been exerciſed wich great Pain; but
the died: chiefly, of Famine. It was,
doubtleſs, partly owing to her bodily
Weakneſs, that her Nature was ſo oſten
overcome, and” ready to ſink with gra:
cious Affection; but yet the truth was,
that ſhe had more Grace, and greater
Diſcoveries of God and Chriſt, than the
_ preſent frail State did well conſiſt with,
She wanted to be where ſtrong Grace
might have more Liberty, and be with ·
out the Clog of a weak Body; there ſhe.
longed to be, and there ſhe doubtleſs
now is, She was looked upon amongſt us,
as a very eminent Inſtance of Chriſtian
Experience; but this is but a very bro-
ken and imperfect Account I have gi-
ven of her: Her Eminency would much
more appear, if her. Experiences were:
8 . fully
Converſions in New-England. 109
fully related, as ſhe was wont to expreſs,
and manifeſt them, while living. I once
read this Account to ſome of her pious
Neighbours, who were acquainted with
her, who ſaid, to this purpoſe, that the
Picture fell much ſhort of the Life; and
particularly that jt much fail'd of duly
repreſenting her Humility, and that ad-
mirable Lowlineſs of Heart, that at all
times appeared in her. But there are,
| _ (bleſſed be God!) many living Inſtances,
of much the like nature, and in ſome.
Things no lets extraordinary.
9
But I now proceed to the other. Inſtance
that I would give an Account of, which
is of the /ittle Child fore- mention . Her
Name is Phebe Bartlet, Daughter of
William Bartlet, I ſhall give the Account
as I took it from the mouths of her Pa-
rents, whoſe Veracity none that know
them doubt of.
She was born in March, in the year
1731, About the latter end of April, or
beginning of May, 1735, ſhe was great-
ly affected by the talk of her Brother,
who had been hopefully converted a little
before, at about eleven years of Age,
and then ſeriouſly talked to her about the
great Things of Religion, Her Parents
did not know of it at that time, and were
not wont, in the Counſe!s they gave to
their Children, particularly to direct
them
*
—
110 A Narrative of late ſurprixin
themſelves to her, by reaſon of her being *
ſo young, and as they ſuppoſed not ca- fs
pable of Underſtanding: but after her Ni
* talked to her, they obſerved EY
her very earneſtly to liſten to the Advice of.
they gave to the other Children ; and ſhe LC
was obſerved very conſtantly to retire, par
ſeveral times in a Day, as was concluded, don
for ſecret Prayer; and grew more and and
more engaged in Religion, and was more crie
frequent in her Cloſet; till at laſt ſhe aſk
was wont to viſit it five or ſix times in a J wae
Day: and was ſo engaged in it, that no- but
thing would at any Time divert her from and
her ſtated Cloſet Exerciſes. Her Mo- ane
ther often obſerved and watched her, when | ther
ſuch Things occurr'd, as ſhe thought moſt that
tikely to divert her, either by putting it | ohe
out of her Thoughts, or otherwiſe engaging go te
her Inclinations ; but never could obſerve 180
her to fail. She mention'd ſome very re- | py,
markable Inftances, _ Vs
She once of her own accord ſpake of | vn
her Unſucceſsſulneſs, in that ſhe could quie
not find God, or to that purpoſe, But | carn
on Thurſaay, the laſt Day of 7uly, about time
the middle of the Day, the Child being | yi,
in the Cloſet, where it uſed to retire, its | by f
Mother heard it ſpeaking aloud ; which Sher
was unuſual, and never had been obſerved 1
before: And her Voice ſeemed to be as Alte.
of one exceeding importunate and en- not ,
5 es packs gaged; 2
Converſions in New-England. 111
raged; but her Mother could diſtinctly
hear only theſe Words, (ſpoken in her
childiſh Manner, but ſeemed to be ſpoken
with extraordinary earneſtneſs, and out
of Diſtreſs of Soul,) PRAY BLESSED
LORD give me Salvation! I PRAY, BEG
pardon all my Sins! When the Child had
done Prayer, ſhe came out of the Cloſet,
and came and fat down by her Mother, and
cried out aloud, Her:Mother very earneſtly
aſked her ſeveral times, what the matter
was, before ſhe would make any Anſwer;
but ſhe continued exceedingly crying,
and wreathing her Body to and fro, like
one in anguiſh: of Spirit, Her Mother
then aſked her, whether ſhe was afraid
that God would not give her Salvation.
She then anſwered yes, I am afraid I ſhall
go to Hell! Her Mother then endeavoured
to quiet her, and told her ſhe would not
have her cry, ſhe muſt be a good Girl,
and pray every Day, and ſhe hoped God
would give her Salvation, But this did not
quiet her at all; but ſhe continued thus
earneſtly crying, and taking on for ſome
time, till at length ſhe ſuddenly ceaſed
crying, and began to ſmile, and preſent-
ly ſaid with a ſmiling Countenance, Mo-
ther, the Kingdom of Heaven is come to me!
Her Mother was ſurprized at the ſudden
Alteration, and at the Speech ; and knew
not what to make of it, but at firſt faid
18 : nothing
rz A Narrative late ſurpriging
nothing to her. The Child preſently
ſpake again, and ſaid, there is another
come to me, and there 1s another, there is
three, and being aſked what ſhe meant,
ſhe anſwered one is, Thy will be done, and
there is another, Enjoy him for ever; by
which it ſeems that when the Child ſaid
there is three come to me, ſhe meant three
Paſſages of its Catechiſm that came to her
Mind.
After the Child had (aid this, ſhe. re-
tired again into her Cloſet; and her Mo-
ther went over to her Brother's, who was
next Neighbour ; and when ſhe came
back, the Child, being come out of the
Cloſet, meets her Mother with this chear-
ful Speech, I can find God now ! referring
to what ſhe had before complain'd of that
ſhe could not find God. Then the Child
ſpoke again, and ſaid, I love God]! her
Mother aſked her, how well ſhe loved God,
whether ſhe loved God better than Her F. 1
ther and Mother, ſhe ſaid yes. Then ſlie
aſked her whether ſhe loved God better.
| than her little Siſter Rachel. She anſwer-
ed yes, better than any thing! Then her
— — Siſter, referring to her ſaying ſhe,
could find God now, aſked her where ſhe
could find Ged. She anſwered in Heaven:
my, ſaid ſhe, have you been in Heaven?
Ne. faid the Child, By this it ſeems not
to have been any L2agina$ion. of any thing
ſcen
Converſions in New-England. 113
ſeen with bodily Eyes, that ſhe called
| God, when ſhe ſaid I can find God now.
Her Mother aſked her whether ſhe was
afraid of going to Hell,, and that had made
her cry. She anſwered, yes, I was; but
now I ſban't. Her Mother aſked her whe-
ther ſhe thought that God had given her .
Salvation: She anſwered, yes, Her Mo-
ther aſked her, toben. She anſwered, to-day.
She appeared all that Afternoon exceed-
ing chearful and joyful. One of the
Neighbours aſked her, how ſhe felt her
ſelf? She anſwer'd, I feel better than I did.
The Neighbour aſlced her, what made
her feel better: She anſwered, God makes
me. That Evening as ſhe hy a-bed, ſhe
called one of her little Couſins to her that
was preſent in the Room, as having ſome-
thing to ſay to him; and when he came,
ſhe told him, that Heaven was better thau
Earih, The. next day being Friday, her
Mother aſking her her Catechiſm, aſked
her what God made her for : She anſwered
to ſerve him, and added, every body fou
ſerve God, and get an Tatereſ in Cort...
The fame Day the this Children,
when they came home from School, ſeem-
ed much affected with the extraordinary
Change that ſeemed to be made in Phebe:
And her Siſter Abigail ſtanding by, her
Mother took occaſion to counſel her, now
to improve her Time, to prepare for ano-
ther
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114 A Narrative of /ate ſurprizing
ther World: On which Phebe burſt out
in Tears; and cried out Poor Nabby ! Her
Mother told her ſhe would not have her
ery, ſhe hoped that God would give
Nebby Salvation; but that did not quiet
her, but ſhe continued earneſtly crying for
ſome time; and when ſhe had in a mea-
ſure ceaſed, her Siſter Eunice being by
her, ſhe burſt out again, and cried Poor
Eunice] and cried exceedingly; and when
ſhe had almoſt done, ſhe went into ano-
ther Room, and there looked ap on her
Siſter Naomi: and burſt out again, crying
Poor Amy | Her Mother was greatly at-
fected at ſuch a Behaviour in the Child,
and knew not what to ſay to her. One of
the Neighbours coming in a little after,
aſked her what ſhe had cried for. She
ſeemed at firſt backward to tell the Rea-
ſon: her Mother told her ſhe might tell
that Perſon, for he bad given her an Ap-
ple: Upon which ſhe ſaid, ſhe cried be-
cauſe ſhe was afraid they would go to Hell,
At Night a certain Miniſter, that was
occaſionally in the Town, was at the
Houſe, and talked conſiderably with her,
of the Things of Religion; and after he
was gone ſhe ſat leaning on the Table, with
Tears running out of her Eyes: And be-
ing aſked what made her cry, ſhe ſaid it
was thinking about God. The next Day,
being Saturday, ſhe ſeemed great part of
the
the Day to be in a very affectionate
Frame, had four turns of Crying, and
ſeemed to endeavour to curb her ſelf, and
hide her Tears,. and' was very backward
to talk of the occaſion of it. On the Sa
bath Day ſhe was aſked whether ſhe be-
teved in God; ſhe anſwered yes: And:
being told that Chriſt was the Son of God,
ſhe made. realy Anſwer, and ſaid, I know
From this Time there has appeared a
very remarkable abiding Change in the
Child: She has been very ſtrict upon the
Sabbath; and ſeems to long for the Sab-
bath Day, before. it comes, . and. will often
in. the Week-time be enquiring how long
it is to the Sabbath Day, and muſt have
the Days particularly counted over that
are between, before ſhe wil! be contented,
And fhe ſeems to love God's Houſe, is.
very eager to go thither : Her Mother once
aſked her why ſhe had ſuch a mind t9.g0 b |
whether it was not to ſee fine Fol
She faid 20, it was to hear Mr. Edwards
preach, When ſhes in the place of Wor-
hip, ſhe is very far from ſpending her
Time there as Children at her Age uſuil-
ly do, but appears with an Attention that
is. very extraordinary for ſuch a Child.
She alſo appears very deſirous at all Op-
portunities to go to private religious Meet-
wgs ;- and is very ſtill and attentive at
5 Home,
| Converſions in New-England i 11
* 3
-
SS = 3 = 2
116 A Narrative of late ſurpnixing
Home, in Prayer-time, and has appeared
affected in time of Family-Prayer. She
ſeems to delight much in hearing religious
Converſation: When I once was there
with ſome others that were Strangers, and
talked to her ſomething of Religion, ſhe
ſeemed more than ordinarily attentive ;
and when we were gone, ſhe looked out
very wiſtly after us, and ſaid, I wiſh they
would come again! Her Mother aſked her
why : Says ſhe, I love to hear em talk!
She ſeems to have very much of the
Fear of God before her Eyes, and an ex-
traordinary Dread of Sin againſt him;
of which her Mother mention'd the fol-
lowing remarkable Inſtance. Some time
in Auguſt, the laſt Fear, ſhe went with
ſome bigger Children, to get ſome Plumbs,
in a Neighbour's Lot, knowing nothing
of any harm in what ſhe did; but when
ſhe brought ſome of the Plumbs into the
Houſe, her Mother mildly reproved her,
and told her that ſhe muſt not get Plumbs
without leave, becauſe it was Sin: God had
commanged her not to ſteal. The Child
ſeemed greatly ſurprized, and burſt out
in Tears, and cried out, won't have theſe
Plumbs ! and turning to her Siſter Eunice,
very earneſtly ſaid to her, why did you aſk
me to go to that Plumb-Tree? I ſhould not
have gone if you had not aſced me, The
other Children did not ſeem to be much
* e eee
C
affec
pact!
might
not E
one
wher
that 1
migh
Ing.
preſe
ceedi
ed he
cried
hat
aſked
fore i]
it was
She c.
and {1
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tain'd
conſid
of her
She
feed,
ture t.
ly, ab
laſt Y.
Rev. i
and kn
open t
with B.
Converſions in New-England. 1 17
affected or concerned; but there was no
pacifying Phebe, Her Mother told her ſhe
might go and afk leave, and then it would
not be ſin for her to eat them; and ſent
one of the Children to that end; and
when ſhe returned, her Mother to! * her
that the Owner had given leave, now ſhe
might eat them, and it would not be ſteal-
ing. This ſtill'd her a little while; but
preſently ſne broke out again into an ex-
ceeding Fit of Crying: Her Mother aſk-
ed her what made her cry again? N oy ſhe
cried now, fince they had aſked lende?
IVhat it was that troubled her now? And
aſked her ſeveral times very earneſtly, be-
fore ſhe made any Anfwer ; but at laſt ſaid,
it was becauſe BECAUSE IT WAS SIN.
She continued a conſiderable time crying;
and ſaid ſhe would not go again if Eunice
aſked her an hundred Times;
nin'd her Averſion to that Fruit for a
conſiderable time, under the remembrance
of her former Sin.
She at ſome times appears greatly at-
fected, and delighted with Texts of Scrip-
ture & Bk come to her mind. Particu'ar-
ly, about the beginning of November, the
laſt Year, that Text came to her mind,
Rev. 111. 20. Behold, I fland at the Door
and knock : If any Man hear my Voice, ond
open the Door, I will come in, and ſup
with bim, and he with me. She ſpoke of
5 it
and ſhe re-
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118 A Nartative of late ſurprixiug
it to thoſe of the Family, with a great
appearance of Joy, a ſmiling Counte-
nance, and Elevation of Voice, and after-
wards ſne went into another Room, where
her Mother overheard her talking very
carreſtly to the Children about it, and
particularly heard her ſay to them, three
or four times over, with an air of exceed-
ing Joy and Admiration, y it is to SU
WITH GOD. At ſome time about the
middle of Winter, very late in the Night,
when all were .a-bed, her Mother per-
ceived that ſhe was awake, .and heard
her, as tho* ſhe was weeping, She called
to her, and aſked her what was the mat-
ter. She anſwered with a low Voice, fo
that her Mother could not hear what ſhe
faid ; but thinking that it might be oc-
caſion' d by fome ſpiritual Affection, ſaid
no more to her; but perceived her to lie
awake, and to continue in the ſame Frame,
for a conſiderable time. The next Morning,
ſhe aſked her whether ſhe did not cry the
laft Night: The Child anſwered yes, J
did ery-a little, for I was thinking about
God and Chrijt., and they loved me. Her
Mother aſked her whether fo think of God
and Chriſi's loving.her made her cry: She an-
ſwered yes, it does ſometimes. .
d
She has often manifeſted a great Con-
cern for the good of others Souls: and hus
been wont many times. affectionately to
1 4 counſcl
Converſions in New-England. 119
counſel the other Children. Once about
the latter end of September, the laſt Year,
when ſhe and ſome others of the Children
were in a Room by themſelves, a huiking
Indian Corn, the Child, after a while,
came out and fat by the Fire, Her Mo-
ther took notice that ſhe appeared with a
more than erdinary ſerious and penſive
Countenance, bur at laſt ſhe broke ſilence,
and ſaid, I have been tatking to Nabby
and Eunice: Her Mother aſked her what
ſhe had ſaid to 'em. Why ſaid ſhe, J
told em they muſt pray, and prepare to die,
that they had bat a little while to live in
this World, and they mujt be always rea-
ay. When Nabby came out, her Mother
aſked her whether ſhe had ſaid that to
them. Nes, ſaid the, he ſaid that, and
a great deal more.
Child took her Opportunities to talk to
At other times, the
the other Children about the great Con-
cern of their Souls, ſometimes, ſo as
much to affect them, and ſet them into
Tears. She was once exceeding importu—
nate with her Mother to go with her Siſter
Naomi to pray : Her Mother endeavoured
to put her off; but ſhe pulled her by the
Sleeve, and ſeent'd as if ſhe would by no
means be denied. At laſt her Mother told
her, that Amy muſt go and pray ber ſelf;
Put, N che Child, ſhe will: not go; and
perfiſted
vx As 9 4 RE
—
—
— AG 2
bx SEO
120 A Narrative / late ſurprizing
perſiſted earneſtly to beg of her Mother
to go with her.
She has diſcover'd an uncommon De-
gree of a Spirit of Charity; particularly
on the following Occaſion : A pour Man
that lives in the Woods, had lately loſt a
Cow that the Family much depended on,
and being at the Houſe, he was relating
his Misfortune, and telling of the Straits
and Difficulties they were reduced to by
it. She took much notice of it, and it
wrought exceedingly on her Compaſſions:
And "after ſhe had attentively heard him
a while, ſhe. went away to her Father,
who was in the Shop, and intreated him
to give that Man a Cow: and told him
that the peer Man had no Cow! that the
Hunters or. ſomething elſe had killd his
Cow! we entreated him to give him one
of theirs. Her Father told her that they
ould not ſpare one. Then ſhe entreated
him to let him and his Family come and
live at his Houſe : And had much more
talk of the ſame nature, whereby ſhe ma-
nifeſted Bowels of Me to the
Poor.
She has ee great Love t to her
M.iniſter: Particularly when I return'd
from my long Journey for my Health,
the laſt Fall, when ſhe. heard of it, the
appear'd very joyful at the News, and
told the Children ow it, with an elevated
Voice,
:
EPE
Converſins in New-England. 121
Voice, as the moſt joyful Tidings; re-
peating it over and over, Mr. Edwards
is come home! Mr. Edwards is come home!
She ſtill continues very conſtant in ſecret
Prayer, ſo far as can be obſerved, (for
| The ſeems to have no Deſire that others
ſhould obſerve her when ſhe retires, but
ſeems to be. a Child of a referved Tem-
to Bed, will ſay her Catechiſm, and will
by no means miſs of it: ſhe never for-
got it but once, and then after ſhe was
a-bed, thought of it, and cried out 1n
Tears, I ha#'t ſaid my Catechiſm ! and
would not be quieted till her Mother
alked her the Catechiſm, as ſhe lay in Bed.
She ſometimes appears to be in doubt a-
bout the Condition of her Soul, and when
aſked whether ſhe thinks that ſhe is pre-
pared for Death, ſpeaks ſomething
doubtfully about it: At other times
ſeems to have no doubt, but when aſked
replies yes without heſitation. ©
In the former part of this great Work:
of God amongſt us, till it got to its
height, we ſeemed to be woaderfufly
imiſed upon and bieſſed in all reſpects.
Satan (as has been already obſerved)
ſeemed to be unuſually reſtrain'd: Per-
ſons that before had been involved in Me-
lancholy, ſeemed to be as it were waked
up out of it; and thoſe that had been en-
i Re” tangled
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122 A. Narrative ꝙ late ſurprixing
tangled with extraordinary Temptations,
ſeemed wonderfully to be ſet at liberty;
and not only ſo, but it was the moſt re-
markable time of Health, that ever 1
knew ſince I have been in the Town.
We ordinarily have ſeveral Bills put up,
every Sabbath, for Perſons that are neck;
but now we had not ſo much as one for
many Sabbaths together. But after this
it ſeemed to, be otherwiſe, when this
Work of God appear'd to be at its great-
eſt Height, a poor weak Man that be-
longs to the Town, being in great ſpiri-
tual Trouble, was hurried with violent
"Temptations to cut his own Throat,
and *made an Attempt; but did not do
it effeQtually. He after this continued a
conſiderable Time exceedingly over- | ai
whelmed with Melancholy; but has now
of a long time been very greatly deliver'd,
by the Light of God's Countenance lifted
up upon him, and has expreſſed a great ] ..
Senſe of his Sin in ſo far yielding to
Temptation; and there are in him all
hopeful Evidences of his having been
made a Subject of ſaving Mercy.
In the latter part of May, it began to
be very: ſenſible that the Spirit of God
was gradually withdrawing from us, and
after this Time Satan ſeemed to be mor
let looſe, and raged in a dreadful many -
ner. The firſt Inſtance wherein it ap-
e
Converſims i in New- England. 123
pear'd, was a Perſon's putting an end to
his own Life, by cutting his Throat.
He was a Gentleman of more than com-
mon Underſtanding, of ſtrict Morals,
religious in his Behaviour, and an uſeful
honourable Perſon in the Town ; but was
of a Family that are exceeding prone to
the Diſcaſe of Melancholy, and his Mo-
ther was kille ] with. it. He had, from
the beginning of this extraordinary Time,
been exceedingly concern'd about the
State of his Soul, and there were
ſome Things in his Experience, that ap-
peared very hopefully; but he durſt
entertain no Hope concerning his ow-w
good Eſtate. Towards the latter part of
his Time, he grew much diſcouraged,
and Melancholy grew amain upon him,
till he was wholly overpower'd by it,
and was in great meaſure paſt a Capacity
of receiving Advice, or being reaſoned
with to any ae! goof The Devil took the
advantage, and drove him into deſpair-
ing Thoughts.
nights, meditating Terrour; ſo that he
had ſcarce any Sleep at all, for a long
And it was obſerved at
laſt, that he was ſcarcely well capable of
managing his ordinary Buſineſs, and was
judged delirious by the Coroner's Inqueſt:
The News of this extraordinarily affected
the Minds of People here, and ſtruck them
time together.
—
400-4 as
He was kept awake a-
|
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—— ETETY —
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124 A Narrative 2 late n eee
as it were with Aſtoniſhment. After
this, Multitudes in this, and other Towns,
Teemed to have it ſtrongly ſuggeſted to
*em, and preſſed upon 'em, to do as this
Perſon had done. And many that ſeemed
to be under n6 Melancholy, ſome pious:
Perſons, that had no ſpecial Darkneſs,
or Doubts about the goodneſs of their
State, nor were under any ſpecial Trou-
dle or Concern of Mind about any thing
Spiritual or Temporal, yet had it urged
upon 'em, as if ſomebody had ſpoke
to 'em, Cut your own Throat, ROW 1s
6 good - Opportunity, Now; now! So
that they were oblig d to fight with all
their might to reſiſt it, and yet no Reaſon
ſuggeſted to em why they ſhould do it.
About the ſame time, there were two
remarkable Inſtances of Perſons led a-
way with ſtrange Enthuſiaſtick Deluſions:
one at Siffeld, and another at South-
Hadley: That which has made the great.
eſt ne in the Country was of the Man
at South-H idley, whoſe Deluſion was, that
he thought himſelf divinely inſtructed to
dire& a poor Man in melancholy and de-
ſpairing Circumſtances, to ſay certain
Words in Prayer to God, as recorded in
P/al. cxvi. 4. for his own Relief. The
Man is eſteemed a pious Man: I have
ſince this Error of his, had a particular
Acquaintance with him z and I believe
none
2
. ˙ XY Err.
=)
had ſuch an E
a particular Account of the Manner how
none would | queſtion - his Piety, that had
He gave me
he was deluded ; which is too long to be
here inſerted. Bat in ſhort he was ex-
ceedingly rejoiced and elevated with this
Work, ſo carried on in
this part of the Country ; and was poſ-
Fi with an Opinion that it was the
_— of the glorious Times of the
poken of in in af hung : And had
extraordina
ſeſſe
Church
read it as * Opinion o
that remarkable Inſtance of the little
Child was after this;) and the Spirit of
God not long
its going on in ſome Places of Counec-
ticut, and that it continues to be carried
on even to this Day.) But Religion re-
4 3 G 3. main'd
1 Converſions in New-England. 125
ſame Divines,
that there would be many in theſe Times
that ſhould be endued with extraordinary
Gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, and had 'em-
braced the Notion ; tho? he had at firſt no
Apprehenſions that any beſides Miniſters
would have ſuch Gifts. But he ſince exceed--
ingly laments the Diſhonour he has done to
God, and theWound he has given Religion in
it, and has lain low before God and Man for it.
After theſe things the. Inſtances of
Converſion were rare here in compari-
ſon of what they had before been, (tho?
after this time, appear'd”
very ſenſibly withdrawing from all parts
of the Country; - (tho? we have heard of
x26 A Narrative of Jate ſurprizing
main'd here, and I believe in ſome o-
ther Places, the main Subject of Conver-
ſation, for ſeveral Months after this. And
there were ſome Turns, wherein God's
Work ſeem'd ſomething: to revive, and
we were ready to hope that all was
yet in the
going to be renewed again:
main there was a gradual Decline of that
general, engaged, lively Spirit in Reli-
gion, which had been beforę. Several things
have happen'd ſince, that have diverted
Peoples Minds, and turn'd their Conver-
ſation more to other Affairs, as particular-
ly his Excellercy the Goverrour's coming
up, and the Committee of General Court,
on the Treaty with the Indians; and af-
terwards the Springfield Controverſy; and.
ſince that, our People in this Town have
been engaged in the building of a new
Meeting - houſe:
rences might be mentioned, that have
| ſeem'd. to have this Effect. But as to
thoſe that have been thought to be con-
verted among us, in this time, they ge-
nerally ſeem: to be Perſons, that have had
an abiding Change wrought on them:
J have had particular acquaintance with.
many of them ſince, and they generally ap-
r to be Perſons that have a new Senſe
of Things, new Apprehenſions and Views
of God, of the divine Attributes, and
Tj Chrit, and: the W Things of the
Goſpel:
and ſome other Occur-
1 gr
ti ti.
old
9
S& yur WE - Yo. * 1
- Converſions in New-Englan d. 127
Goſpel: They have a new Senſe of the
Truth of them, and they affect them
in a new manner; tho' it is very far from
being always alike with them, neither
can they revive a Senſe of things when
they pleaſe. Their Hearts are often
touched, and ſometimes fill'd, with. new
Sweetneſſes and Delights; there ſeems
to be an inward Ardour and burning of
Heart that they expreſs, the like to whica
they never experienced before; ſomet' mes,
perhaps, occaſioned only by the Mention
of Chriſ's Name, or ſome one of the
Divine Perſections: There are new Ap-
petites, and a new kind of Breathings and
Pantings of Heart, and Groanings that can-
not be uttered. There is a new kind of
inward Labour and Struggle of Soul to-
wards Heaven and Holineſs.
Some that before were very joughin!:
their Temper and Manners,. ſeem. to be
remarkably ſoftned and ſweeten'd. And
ſome have had their Souls excecdingly fil-
led, and oyerwhelmed with Light, Love,
and Comfort, long ſince the Work of
God has ceaſed to be ſo remarkably carried
on in a general way : and ſome have had
much greater Experiences of this nature:
than they had before. And there is tilt
a great deal of religious Converſation con-
tinned in the Town, amongſt. young and
old; a_religicus Diſpoſition. N to.
oe G 4 be
ö a
128 A Narrative of late ſurprizing
'be ftill maintain'd amongſt our: People,
by their upholding frequent private re-
ligous Meetings; and all Sorts are gene-
rally worſhipping God at ſuch Meetings,
on Sabbath Nights, and in the Evening
after our publick Lecture. Many Chil-
dren in the Town do till keep up ſuch
Meetings among themſelves. I know
of no one young Perſon in the Town
that has returned to former ways of Looſe-
nels and Extravagancy in any reſpect;
but we ſtill remain a reformed People, and
God has evidently made us a new: People.
I can't ſay that there has been no In-
ftance of any one Perſon that has car-
ried himſelf ſo, that others ſhould juſtly
de ſtumbled concerning his Profeſſion 3
nor am I fo;,vain as to imagine that
we han't been miſtaken concerning any
that we have entertain'd a good Opini- |
on of, or that there are none that pw |
eed
amongſt: us for Sheep, that are indee
Molves in Sheep's cloathing; who probably
1 time or other diſcover them
ſelves by their Fruits. We are not ſo pure,
but that we have great Cauſe to be
tiymbled and aſham'd, that we are ſo im-
pure ; nor ſo religious, but that thoſe that.
watch for our Halting, may ſee things in
us, whence. they may take occaſion to re-
proach us and Religion: but in the main,
there has been a great and maryellous Work
= -
own peculiar and immediate Work, and
of. Converſion and Sanctification among
the People here; and they have paid all
die Reſpects to thoſe who have been
bleſt of God to be the Inſtruments of it.
Both old and young have ſhewn a For-
wardneſs to hearken not only to my Coun-
ſels, but even to my Reproofs from the
„ TI
; A great part of the Country have not
received the moſt favourable Thoughts
of this Affair; and to this day many re-
tain a Jealouſy concerning it, and Pre-
**
judice againſt it: I have Reaſon to think.
Inſtrument, that has been made uſe of
in this Town, has prejudiced many a-
gainſt it; it don't appear to me ſtrange
that it ſhould be ſo: But yet the Cir».
cumſtanee. of this great Work of God,
is analogous to other Circumſtances of it:
| God has fo ordered the manner of the
Work in many Reſpects, as very ſignal-
ly and remarkably to ſhew it to be his
to ſecure the Glory of it wholly to his
own Almighty Power, and Sovereign
Grace. And whatever the Circumſtances
and Means have been, and tho? we are ſo
| unworthy, yet / hath it pleaſed God to
work! And we are evidently. a People
blefſed of the Lord! And here, in. this
Corner of the World, God dwells, and ma:
nifeſts his Glory, Thus
. Converſions. in New-England. 129
that the meanneſs and weakneſs of the
F36 eee
Thus, Revd. Sir, 1 have given a large |
and particular Account of this remarka-
ble Affair; and yet, conſidering how
manifold God's Works have been a-
mongſt us, that are worthy to be writ-
ten, *tis but a very brief one. I ſhould
Have ſent it much ſooner, had I not been
greatly hindered by . Illneſs in my Fami-
ly, and alſo in myſelf. It is probably
much larger than you expected, and it
may be than you would have choſen. I
thought that the Extraordinarineſs of the
thing, and the innumerable Miſreprefenta-
tions which - have gone abroad of it, many
of which have, doubtleſs, reached your
Ears, made it neceſſary that I ſhould
tirely withr your Wiſdom to make what
uſe of it yon think beſt, to ſend a part
of it to England, or all, or none, if you
think it not worthy z or otherwiſe to dif-
_ pole of it as you may think moſt for God's
lory, and the Intereſt of Religion, If
you are pleaſed to ſend any thing to the
Revs,” Dr. Cigſe, I. ſhould be glad to
have it ſignify'd to him as my humble
Peſire, that ſince he, and the Congrega-
tion to which he preach'd, have been
pleaſed to take ſo much notice of us,
as they have, that they would allo, thin
of us at the Throne of Grace, and ſeek
3 there for us, that God would not forſake
be 2 But I would leave it en-
us, but enable us to bring forth Fruit an-
ſwerable to our Profeſſion, and our Mer-
cies, and that our Light may ſo ſhine bes
fore Men, that others ſeeing our good Works,
may glorify our Father which is in [ea-
A OE | ;
When J firſt heard of the Notice the
Rev*. Dr. Watts and Dr. Guy/e took of
God's Mercies to us, I took occaſion to
inform our. Congregation of it in a Diſ-
courſe from theſe Words; A City that is
2 ſet upon an Hill cannot be bid. And hav-
ing ſince feen a particular Account of the
Notice the Revi. Dr. Guyſe, and the Con-
gfegation” be preached to, took” of ity. in
a Letter you wrote to my Honoured
Uncle Williams, J read that part of your
Letter to the Congregation, and labour'd
as much as in me lay to enforce their
Duty from it. The Congregation were
very ſenſibly moved and affected at both
times. ee eee
I humbly requeſt of you, Reva. Sir,
. your Prayers, for his County, in its pre-
ſent melancholy Circumſtances, into which
it is brought by the Springfield Quarrel,
which, doubtleſs, above all things that have
happend, has tended to put a Stop to the
glorious Work here, and to prejudice this
Country againſt it, and hinder the Pro-
| Pagation of it, I alſo aſk your Prayers
4
Converſions in New-England. 131
* e — Y 4
2 — — Q— — —— —ää— — * * * 2 4
3 N rative, 9 15 * ;
44 4 *
for tis Town, and would 2
Eloncused W 2 5
phos 5 © ”
Nov: 6.1736 , with mnie Raped.
: 11 M „ „ £
& :-:
4s hs -þ Your- Obedlient Son and ona
Ko ly aue Edward.
"ADVERTISEMENT.
„ Pubiiſtod, and delivered gratis, 4
N JOHN O SWA b, the Undertaker,
4 at the Roe and Crawn in ine Bone
and ather Bout ſellen nge
TROPOSALS fort "Siinibg:
+ Sabſcripricn, a Pracrticar EX.
| Fes FON, of the Four EVAN OELISTS, |
in the Forth of a Parapbraſe; with Occa-
©, onal Nozts in their proper Places for
oy further Ex lication, and ſerious Recallet-
| "Hons at the Cloſe of every Chapter”:
Fakt of ir being the Subſtance. of what
Woͤ,)ss delivered in ſeveral Expoſitory Lectures
5 Liste &. Helems, on Wedneſddy Winte 52
33 Deſigrd to be pabliſh'd
the Uſe: of the Family and the CARY 1
I a2 * JOHN « GUYSED. D.
e
*
ah. BA = = 1 2 Dy 2
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